Butler Trust News

Congratulations to all of the 400+ people from right across the UK nominated for this year's Awards, and a special congratulations of course to our 2025-26 Award Winners and Commendees.

Nominations are now open for this year’s Butler Trust Awards! So if you know someone who’s outstanding at their job – a Hidden Hero among #HiddenHeroes – help us give them the credit they deserve.

The Butler Trust held its 40th Anniversary Awards on 25th March 2025, once again in the wonderful surroundings of St James’s Palace. As on every previous occasion, the Ceremony was presided over by our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal; and on our special anniversary, HM The King came to speak to our Award Winners after the presentations, over afternoon tea.

As Patron of the Butler Trust, HRH visited HMP Littlhey on 31 January and Heathrow IRC five days later, to tour the establishments and thank staff for their service.

Congratulations to all of the 450 people from right across the UK nominated for this year's Awards, and a special congratulations of course to our 2024-25 Award Winners and Commendees.

10 October: HRH The Princess Royal, as Patron of the Butler Trust, visits North Tyneside YJS, to meet staff from the YJS and partner agencies, including recent Butler Trust Award Winner Justin Laidler.

This afternoon, HRH The Princess Royal presented the 2023-24 Awards in the glittering settings of St James's Palace - as she has done on each occasion since the very first Awards in 1986.

5 March: HRH The Princess Royal visits HMP Aylesbury - her second prison visit as our Patron in two weeks - meeting recent Butler Trust winners and their colleagues, as well as viewing some of the excellent work taking place around the establishment.

Yesterday (21 February), our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, visited HMP Doncaster, to tour the establishment and meet staff. At the end of her visit, The Princess addressed the staff to thank them for their service.

We are delighted to announce the names of our 2023-24 Butler Trust Award Winners and Commendees. As always, the Awards once again reflect some of the most outstanding examples of the dedication, skill, and creativity found throughout the criminal justice system.

This year’s Kathy Biggar Trophy goes to Sandwell & Dudley Probation for their Women’s Trauma Informed Community Healthcare Project – a truly innovative approach to helping to ensure that women in contact with probation get the healthcare they need.

Between 20 October and 16 November, The Princess Royal visited HMPs Elmley, Wandsworth and Drake Hall, as our Patron, to meet recent Butler Trust Award Winners, and their colleagues, in their places of work, and pay tribute to them for their service.

First launched by the Trust, yesterday was the fourth Annual #HiddenHeroes Day – a chance to say thank you to everyone working in UK prisons, probation and youth justice services, for the critical work they do. As in previous years, the day was widely observed, with events held in workplaces across the country.

The Princess Royal visited Stonnall Rd Approved Premises today to meet recent Butler Trust Award Winner John Holsey and his colleagues – it was The Princess’s first visit to an approved premises and was appreciated by all concerned.

Our Royal Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, visited HMP Cardiff yesterday, touring the jail and speaking to staff, including recent Butler Trust Award Winner, Matt Hillard. The Princess spent almost 2 hours in the establishment, and briefly addressed staff in Visits before departing for her next engagement.