The UK Festival of Learning Awards, organised by the UK Learning and Work Institute, celebrate the best in adult learning and aim to encourage more people to change their lives through learning.
Our colleague Rebecca Blockley, Senior Project Manager at the Serco-operated Dovegate Prison, was recognised as a finalist at the Festival of Learning in 2023, selected by the judges from hundreds of nominations for the impact of her 'Restart Dog' project in the prison.
Rebecca enrolled on the Serco Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA) while working as a prison officer at HMP Dovegate. For her apprenticeship project, she developed a business case to invite a local 'assistance dog' training charity, the Restart Dog Project, into the prison – a scheme which has proven to have a significant benefit on the rehabilitative wellbeing of prisoners.
The Restart Dogs project commenced at HMP Dovegate in late 2021 with the arrival of four 8-week-old puppies.
Through the programme, prisoners are taught to become Assistance Dog trainers. The programme is suitable for a range of learning levels, overseen by a qualified tutor.
As well as benefiting from the opportunity to gain a qualification, working with the dogs has been shown to improve learners’ mental health and relationships with prison staff whilst also helping participating inmates to develop a stronger sense of responsibility. The course requires learners to be with their dogs from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, teaching them puppy life skills and assistance tasks.
One of the puppies from the first cohort has already been placed with a family as an Autism Assistance Dog.
One learner said: “Through this project I have had the opportunity to do a job that I love. I have always wanted to work with dogs, now I have the skills and experience to set myself up as a professional dog trainer when I am released.”
“It’s clear to see how the project has influenced me for the better," said another. "My knowledge of all things regarding dogs has increased. My social skills, which needed some help, have grown to the point where I can interact with new people and even pass on my new knowledge. Without Restart dogs, I wouldn't have grown.”
Mental health self-assessments completed by participating prisoners, before and after completing the programme, indicate that it has a positive impact on participant wellbeing, in additional to all other positive outcomes.
Commenting on her Festival of Learning recognition and CMDA success, Rebecca said:
"The impact of learning as an adult can be life changing and I’m so pleased that my learning journey was able to benefit so many people."
Amy Crabb, Serco Learning and Development Director, UK, said: “Rebecca has used what she has learnt to bring about a substantial and long-lasting positive impact on her workplace, her colleagues and community, and for herself. We’re so proud of Rebecca being recognised by the Festival of Learning.”