AFTER putting in more than a decade of work to support some of the most vulnerable people in society get back up on their feet has seen one man in the running for a Pride of Swindon Award.

Alan Holland is the manager at TWIGS Community Gardens. They are managed as a resource to give people who experience mental health problems the chance to regain confidence, self-esteem and to learn new skills.

Seeing some of the benefits of getting people out in the fresh air and at one with nature has seen Alan nominated for one of this year’s Pride of Swindon Awards, and subsequently selected for a place on the judge’s shortlist.

Putting him forward for an award, Alan’s nominator said of him: “Alan leads a tight knit team who all are passionate about plants and people, helping those who are suffering from mental health problems to find peace and healing through gardening, crafts and social interaction. Just being in Alan’s company, even if you are perfectly healthy, makes you feel calm and happy.

“He is the rock for TWIGS service users to cling to on their journey back to health and wellbeing. Alan is the backbone of a team who create and maintain a series of beautiful themed gardens that give serenity and a reason for getting up in the morning.

“He believes in the joy of living and getting back to a primeval sense of being in touch with nature, and this encourages the service users to seek the sunshine on their faces again, he gives them hope. Alan never professes to having all the answers.

“Despite being a teacher in the past he does not lecture, he listens and helps the service users to find their own path. He was previously a teacher specialising in helping troubled young people.

“Alan encourages the service users to learn new skills which help them regain their confidence. He uses his compassion and warmth of character to create a safe haven for those in trouble and then guides them gently until they are ready to go back out into the world armed with the knowledge that TWIGS will always be there for them.

“Alan has been manager at TWIGS for 14 years and along with the day to day running organises events such as TWIGS open days. He persuades musicians, artists, and owners of farm animals to contribute to the day as well as selling plants from the garden and handmade crafts created by the service users.

“Alan wins respect and liking from everyone he comes into contact with. His young daughter often drops in to support her dad, he has a loyal staff who believe in him, the Friends of Twigs pull out all the stops to help him raise funds, and he has the full backing of the trustees.”

He will now have to wait until the awards ceremony being held on Thursday, March 16 to find out if he will be named as one of the winners of this year’s Pride of Swindon Awards.