HMP Doncaster Celebrates Yorkshire in Bloom Gold Award Success

Learners and colleagues at HMP Doncaster are celebrating after achieving the prestigious Yorkshire Rose Prison Garden Award Gold Standard at the Yorkshire in Bloom Awards 2026.

Sharon (Novus) in Horticulture and Caroline (Serco) in Gardens, attended the awards ceremony in York on 24 September 2026, where they were delighted to learn that the gardens had been awarded Gold. The achievement reflects the dedication, passion and teamwork of everyone involved in creating and maintaining the thriving green space.

Award-winning gardens showcase the power of learning, partnership and sustainability

The award recognises the strength of partnership working across the site and the high-quality horticultural training available to learners. Through a range of practical activities, including companion planting, composting and the creation of leaf mould areas, learners develop valuable skills while helping to maintain vibrant, sustainable gardens that can be enjoyed by staff, learners and visitors.

The gardens have become much more than a place to learn. Rich in biodiversity, they provide habitats for a wide range of wildlife, including frogs, voles, goldfinches, robins, dragonflies and ducklings. Orchids, fruit trees and natural ponds further enhance the landscape, while carefully selected planting schemes support pollinators and contribute to wellbeing across the site.

Creative artwork can also be found throughout the gardens, adding colour, character and interest to the space. Together, these features create a welcoming environment that demonstrates what can be achieved through teamwork, creativity and a shared commitment to sustainability.

Learners enrolled on the Horticulture programme can begin by studying a Level 1 Award before progressing to Certificate and Diploma qualifications. Alongside developing practical horticultural knowledge, learners build confidence, employability skills and experience that can support their future aspirations.

This latest success is a testament to the dedication of Sharon and Caroline, the Horticulture and Gardens learners, and the wider team whose efforts have helped create an award-winning environment. The Gold Award celebrates not only horticultural excellence, but also the positive impact that education, collaboration and hands-on learning can have within prison settings.

Congratulations to everyone involved in this outstanding achievement and helping make HMP Doncaster's gardens worthy of Gold recognition.

Read more about how Novus is transforming lives through education and skills development in prisons and communities across the UK in our news section.