Served - Opening a Restaurant Inside HMP Lincoln
September 05, 2023Posted by:
'Served' is the documentary that follows inmates at HMP Lincoln as they embark on a 12 week journey to open 'Berties Bistro'. The Bistro is run by prisoners at HMP Lincoln who are undertaking training and qualifications in catering and hospitality with PeoplePlus.
The project is the result of a close partnership between PeoplePlus, Fred Sirieix’s charity, The Right Course, HMP Lincoln and the Ministry of Justice and is testament to our commitment to upskilling prisoners in an innovative way, that gets to the root of reoffending. ‘Bertie’s’, named after the former long-standing deputy governor will be the first prison restaurant where prisoners will be both staff and customers, a truly ‘ground breaking’ concept, because not only does it provide food for staff at HMP Lincoln, it will also be serving food to prisoners and their families during visiting time – allowing full families to sit down together in a relaxed setting and have a proper meal across the table from one another.
Watch the documentary here:
PeoplePlus colleagues have been training a group of 7 men in the prison in to receive City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in catering and hospitality along with front-of-house qualifications including barista training. Once this group has completed their training, a new group of men will be able to join the project on a rolling basis. We have worked with many businesses and individuals to offer the men a high level of training, including renowned Italian chef Francesco Messinas from Café Amisha, the Hilton Hotel, Stokes Coffee and Greene King. Some of these employers will also be able to offer employment opportunities to the men upon release. Indeed since the restaurant opened in May this year, one of the men has already been offered employment on his release.
By helping prisoners secure good jobs on release and remain close with their families, the initiative will protect the public and tackle the £18 billion annual cost of reoffending.
Fred Sirieix said:
“Providing the cohort at HMP Lincoln with the right skills, experience and qualifications to enter the hospitality industry enables a greater chance of them securing meaningful, long-term employment. Without the dedication of our partners, PeoplePlus and Only a Pavement Away, as well as the generosity of our contacts in the hospitality sector, we would not have been able to amplify Bertie’s into an inspiring learning environment that offers real opportunities to turn lives around”
One of the prisoners, Jam said:
"This has given me a lot more confidence. I struggle with my speech and this has really helped me. I want to open my own cafe one day and this will help me to do that."
September 05, 2023Posted by:
