COMMENDEE 2024-25

Initial Recommendation

This nomination followed an initial recommendation from Anthony Winstanley, HMP/YOI Brinsford

I am nominating Andy for this award due to his desire, energy and indefatigable efforts to bring better outcomes for the young people in our care and to offer a healthier approach to wellbeing and fitness for all at Brinsford.

Fitness, wellbeing and body confidence are significant elements of young people’s approach to life, this becomes more accentuated in the custodial setting where freedom, opportunities and liberties are reduced, where access to physical education is often used to improve behaviour.

Andy saw the opportunity to combine fitness with learning. As a newly qualified PEI he led on the introduction of a suite of industry recognised fitness qualifications to Brinsford. These range from understanding nutritional needs and healthy living through to advanced levels in Personal Trainer and Gym Instructor qualifications. This has allowed young men, many who have never experienced or enjoyed education and learning, to gain qualifications that has led to employment upon release from Brinsford, he has given hope to people who feel marginalised or without a future.

Andy ensures that anyone wanting to undertake these courses have completed courses in Maths and English and are engaging in positive behaviour during their sentence before they can enrol, this encourages discipline and focus, for some completely new concepts. It also gives prisoners the foundations to continue learning in other subjects. Throughout the duration of the courses, alongside the vocational element Andy reinforces the principles of leadership, teamwork, courage. All elements from his service in the Royal Marines, the progress these young men make is empowering and humbling, Andy fosters self-worth and pride in all his pupils, students who complete his courses tend to maintain or improve their behaviour.

Andy has moved the concept of prison physical education away from traditional weight training to a rich and diverse programme that encompasses such activities as football, tennis, volleyball, circuits. This approach leads to not only fitter, more rounded individuals but it also exposes people to sports that they may have never played before, it gives opportunities to people they may have never considered. We now have endorsement from the Lawn Tennis Association and the Football Association. Andy was instrumental in securing a 5 year grant of over ten thousand pounds from the Football Association for the improvement and maintenance of our football pitch, this has allowed the prison to enter into the local football leagues and compete at a good level within the county. This is important to the self esteem and confidence of our players as it offers a normalised environment, where for a few hours every weekend they don’t feel like prisoners but everyday people.

Andy has done all this through his sheer hard work, dedication, and determination. Before his involvement PE delivery was linear in terms of qualifications, Andy has strived to change the culture and ethos of those he works with; now within the function we also deliver Duke of Edinburgh qualifications, which fosters and epitomises teamwork, leadership, and support, giving life skills to people who haven’t had this opportunity before.

Andy has not limited his support to prisoners in our care, he also is an advocate for staff wellbeing, he can often be found offering advice and guidance to staff, to improve their confidence, fitness, and wellbeing.

Supporting Documentation

Sign Off

Andy quietly gets on with some fantastic work in the gymnasium quietly and unassumingly.  He doesn’t look for personal praise, award or recognition he just always strives for better outcomes.  If he can see a gap in provision he will fill it, he listens to our young people to provide the greatest of opportunity.  Through the qualifications that Andy has introduced in the gym one of our young people was able to secure employment within the sector on release.  He knows how to motivate people using sport, he is an advocate for well being for both staff and young people.  Andy is without doubt one of our unsung heroes and underestimates just what he gives each day.  I am truly delighted to endorse this very worthy nomination.

Amanda Hughes

Governor, HMP & YOI Brinsford