Young Social Innovators at Hydebank College
Young Social Innovators at Hydebank College
Building Skills, Confidence and a Positive Future
Earlier this month, I had the privilege of visiting Hydebank Wood College and Female Prison in South Belfast to hear first-hand about a groundbreaking programme making waves behind its walls. I met with Young Social Innovators’ programme facilitator Barry Fennell and members of the Hydebank staff to learn about the early success of the Ignite Community Programme, a pioneering initiative bringing male and female residents and students together in the same learning space.
Although I didn’t meet the participants themselves, I left with a clear sense of the impact this project is already having , not only within Hydebank, but on the futures these individuals are working towards.
The YSI Ignite Community Programme at Hydebank is co-facilitated by Local Leaders and project facilitators Barry Fennell and Saleh Rifaie. The work began with a conversation over coffee in February during the launch of the Ignite Community Programme in Belfast. Barry reconnected with his Boston College alumnus, Hydebank Governor Richard Taylor OBE, and that meeting set in motion a series of discussions which led to an invitation for Barry and Saleh to deliver a taster session onsite in April.
By July, the programme was up and running, bringing together a mixed group of female residents and young men from the College and Female Prison. The Governor described it as groundbreaking – the first time inmates had come together onsite in this way as part of a peace project. The Ignite Community Programme is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
At its heart, the programme is people-centred, recognising that a person is more than an ill-judged decision, and that separating the person from the offence is essential to true rehabilitation. Barry and Saleh focus on breaking down barriers and nurturing the talents that already exist within participants.
I heard how poetry and art have become powerful outlets, providing bridges to trust, confidence and self-expression. The programme creates space for these talents to be recognised and valued, showing participants that their contributions can hold meaning and impact. This isn’t simply a set of weekly sessions; it’s an investment in people who, on release, can return to their communities equipped with leadership skills, public speaking ability, critical thinking, and the confidence to mentor others.
The 30-hour programme is delivered in weekly sessions, enabling participants not only to design and lead social innovations that make a difference, but also to build their confidence and skills. Empathy is central, empowering, equipping and inspiring people to change the world for good.
For those who want to take it further, there is an additional pathway: the opportunity to become a Guide or Trainer by completing an accredited two-half-day interactive course. Barry and Saleh are committed to supporting this route, helping participants return to the community with formal recognition and the ability to facilitate positive change themselves.
Barry and the Hydebank staff spoke passionately about how many participants have grown up without recognition. For some, formal education ended early; for others, it was never a place of encouragement or achievement. That is why celebrating milestones in this programme is so important. Completing a module, contributing to a discussion, or gaining a certificate isn’t just a tick-box exercise – it is a visible reminder that participants are capable, valued, and able to move forward. Rebuilding self-esteem in this way is a crucial step in preventing reoffending.
Barry described being overwhelmed by how well participants have engaged so far. He and Saleh work alongside two prison officers who sit in on sessions, ensuring the safe space created is rooted in mutual respect. Staff have noted the positive shift in confidence, openness and trust, with participants beginning to share aspirations, artwork and poetry, powerful signs of the trust being built and the value of expression.
This safe space is so inclusive that even Milo, the emotional support dog, has joined in. Emotional support dogs help prisoners struggling with poor mental health and addiction issues. They can encourage positive behaviour changes, reduce stress and reliance on medication, and enhance social skills, self-esteem and confidence – all central to reducing reoffending and preventing future victims of crime. Milo’s presence brings calm, connection, and a reminder that compassion can change the atmosphere in a room.
While the focus is on transferable skills, leadership, critical thinking, and public speaking, soft skills are equally important. Barry and Saleh’s facilitation is rooted in empathy, encouraging participants to see that leadership is as much about listening and understanding as it is about speaking and directing. Vulnerability is recognised and welcomed, but always at each individual’s pace. Respect is non-negotiable, not imposed from above, but as a shared agreement. This foundation allows for difficult conversations about prison life and broader issues to take place openly and constructively.
The skills being taught aren’t just for Hydebank – they are life skills: confidence in interviews, critical thinking under pressure, leadership in workplaces or communities, and empathy to support others. Barry and Saleh know the period immediately after release can be one of the most vulnerable times in a person’s life. This programme aims to ensure that participants not only survive that transition but thrive, contributing positively to their communities instead of returning to harmful patterns.
One detail that stood out was the pride participants take in receiving certificates. For those who have never qualified before, it’s a powerful moment of validation. Staff spoke enthusiastically about plans for a presentation evening at the end of the course, an opportunity to acknowledge each participant’s achievements in front of their peers and supporters, marking progress with dignity and pride. That boost in confidence can spark further learning, better job opportunities and a stronger sense of identity, all vital in reducing the risk of reoffending.
Young Social Innovators at Hydebank is still in its early stages, but the feedback is already inspiring. The programme blends practical activities, soft skills and mutual respect, helping participants see themselves not as the sum of their past mistakes but as individuals with potential and the power to make a positive difference. Barry summed it up perfectly:
“To have this unique opportunity to make a real difference with a fantastic group within Hydebank Wood College and to be able to facilitate weekly sessions to change minds is just fantastic. I hope that through the Ignite Community Programme we can provide meaningful experiences to everyone taking part by encouraging confidence, collaboration, creativity and empathy. We can make a difference.”
COLLECTIVELY WE ARE STRONG - (written by a participant on the course )
FEAR: Prejudice is often the fear of what we’re unwilling to try and understand. When it comes to new ideas, you’ve two options - Open your mind and grow, or reject them and stay the same size. We tend to compare what we don’t understand with what we think we do. Like the people who told Columbus the Earth was flat. Christopher Columbus sailed the seas and discovered America, and that the world was round.
DIFFERENCES: It takes more than one colour to make a rainbow, more than one musician to make an orchestra, and more than one voice to make a choir. When you take time to appreciate the differences in people, you discover we all share the same hopes and fears.
COMMUNITY: We are a community and though we all are on our own individual journey, we are also in this together. So let’s speak up and collectively build an idea that will make things better and leave your mark on this prison.
YOU WERE HERE
YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE
YOU MATTERED
Walking out of Hydebank that day, I kept thinking about a phrase Barry used: “safe space and brave space.” In many ways, that’s what every community needs: a place where people can speak honestly, be respected and work together to make things better.
The YSI Ignite Community Programme is proving that such spaces can exist anywhere, even in places society often writes off. And when they do, the ripple effect can spread far beyond the walls in which they began. If the first months are anything to go by, the seeds being planted at Hydebank could grow into something truly transformative – not just for the participants but for every life they touch in the years to come.
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