COMMENDEE 2023-24: Greg, an Officer Instructor at HMP Dumfries, receives a Commendation for the passion and creativity he has shown in designing, and bringing to life, the prison’s ‘Wellbeing garden’; turning an area of wasteland into a sensory haven for all, and for those with mental health issues and dementia in particular.

Greg’s nomination

Initial Recommendation

Greg was initially recommended by: Stuart Pomfret (Offender Outcomes, HMP Dumfries).

The story began when Greg spearheaded and supported a community Dementia project in 2018/19 hosted by HMP Dumfries called the “Forget Me Not Project.” The success of this project was later entered into the Journal of Dementia Care.

The lessons learned from this community partnership engagement encouraged and motivated Greg to put into practice some of the learning from the community to benefit those in HMP Dumfries. Seeking advice and working in partnership with Trellis Horticultural Society, Greg facilitated training and information sessions for those prisoners working in the garden, many of whom had a history of anti-social behaviour. Greg’s support and mentoring allowed those participating to gain knowledge on how gardening can improve individuals’ mental health: what works, and what doesn’t work.

Fuelled with this new knowledge, Greg encouraged and motivated his group to study, ask questions, put forward suggestions and finally design and build a Wellbeing Garden within our existing gardens area, that is now accessible to all. The pride and sense of achievement for those individuals is worthy of a nomination in itself, many of those taking part had never been part of a project in their lives. That required planning, implementation and working with others.

Now, Greg actively promotes access to the wellbeing garden to a variety of groups and individuals from a broad prison demographic from the elderly, to the not so elderly, those in recovery from substances and trauma, or to those that just want to walk and gain the benefit of the outdoors and the tranquillity of the new garden. Whilst accessing the Wellbeing Garden, Greg also set up gardening activities for those who want to participate in something; this allows individuals the opportunity to take ownership of an area or a plant that they can see flourish and grow.

The work that Greg has undertaken not only ties in with our organisation’s and establishment’s priorities and goals but also the “The Vision of Justice in Scotland 2022” which states: “…That is, in part, due to the aging profile of the prison population in Scotland, where the proportion of those aged over 50 years is growing. All of this leads to poor health outcomes, including lower life expectancy for those in prison; we must therefore be supported to improve our health and wellbeing as part of rehabilitation and recovery” – The Vision for Justice in Scotland 2022

Many of those residing in HMP Dumfries, like in society, have varying levels of mental health; many with very complex issues. HMP Dumfries now has an area that can aid and support Wellbeing and Mental Health and this is down to Greg going above and beyond in his role to create something that everyone can benefit from.

Testimonials (from HMP Dumfries)

Greg’s nomination included the following testimonials:

“Greg works within the Regimes function at HM Prison Dumfries. He has 15 years Operational experience within the establishment. He is a motivated individual who has gone above and beyond what normally might be expected of an Officer of his grade. He has shown his willingness to engage with this project and has dedicated his time and effort to it for the benefit for those individuals in our care. He is a significant asset to the team.”
Ruth McCracken, Senior HR Officer, HMP Dumfries

“I truly believe Greg would be a fantastic recipient of The Butler Trust Award 2023 for the work and effort he has carried out within HMP Dumfries Well Being Garden. Greg has taken into account the five senses when designing the wellbeing/sensory garden with the pond and flowing water, the pergola area with scented flowers and wildlife to watch, smell and see. There is also an ample supply of fresh fruit available to taste and enjoy in an area that I can only say will help individuals remove themselves to another world away from the prison or bring back memories for those who are unfortunately living with memory problems and diseases.

The positivity and stimulation that people and individuals with mental health issues or cognitive impairment issues gain from Greg’s wellbeing/sensitivity garden can only be good for them and for the prison in general going forward. Greg has been thorough with how he progressed the area from what can only be described as a waste piece of land doing nothing to the envy of the Scottish Prison Service. He has done all this work whilst carrying out his daily duties as the Gardens Officer and linking in with Care Homes and Trellis Scotland to improve individual’s lives from outside the prison environment and to train Officers to carry out sessions with people in our care. All within budget in these times of a living crisis.”
Andrew MacKinnon, Regimes Officer, HMP Dumfries

“Through my involvement with Trellis, I have known Greg for over seven years. He is such a genuine person, showing huge commitment in his role to support those who he manages/cares for in the garden workplace setting. I’m also struck by his compassionate ability to differentiate. I’ve enjoyed working with him on the Wellbeing Garden project as he consistently demonstrates drive and enthusiasm throughout, with a genuine desire to have the space in use to support the wellbeing of the wider prison.”
Joan Wilson, Project Advisor and Trainer, Trellis

Additional information (from HMP Dumfries)

HMP Dumfries provided the following additional testimony in support of Greg’s nomination:

Greg Van Nuil is a motivated individual who works as a Gardens Officer with a work party of around 12 individuals each session. He has shown extreme motivation and desire to develop the skills of those in his care and to provide guidance and support in their development. During his engagement with a community Dementia project, he personally supported Dumfries & Galloway NHS to provide an area in the grounds of the prison to support people from the community with Dementia, providing a safe and engaging space. Greg took personal ownership of this partnership and encouraged those in his care to provide activities for those coming from the community. Greg used this experience to support further partnerships to provide training and development for those in his care and latterly staff. Greg’s encouragement, positive engagement and own motivation allowed him to support individuals with a range of learning and behavioural needs, allowing them to realise their potential.

During the development of the Wellbeing Garden, Greg recognised the need to support the SPS Corporate Plan and Vision for Justice to provide an area for individuals in custody to have a space to improve their wellbeing and mental health. In the development, Greg taught individuals new skills in joinery alongside gardening, providing a sense of achievement and responsibility.

Greg has shown a tremendous amount of commitment and dedication to ensure that individuals in custody have opportunities for their own personal growth, have aids to help with their mental health and also provide opportunities for those in need within the public to benefit from the wellbeing garden area.

I consider Greg to be a worthy nominee for the Butler Trust and fully support this nomination.

Sign off

The nomination was signed off by the Governor, Andrew Hunstone.

Greg has previously been recognised at local level; however, his projects have now been completed and the wider group of individuals, staff and public are appreciating the wellbeing aspects of his efforts. Without Greg’s dedication and motivation, the outcomes would not have been achieved. In addition, his commitment to develop and get the best from his own individual work party was significant.