Social value – creating better lives

For the past thirty years, we have been dedicated to assisting individuals with their gardens and landscapes. A core component of our mission is to generate social value through our expertise and skill set. We continually seek opportunities to support communities that may not typically have access to high-quality landscape and garden design.

Our efforts in this area have prominently focused on supporting veterans, a commitment that began a decade ago when we volunteered with Blind Veterans UK to design and construct a four-acre woodland garden in Llandudno, North Wales. This year-long project leveraged our extensive network within the industry to secure competitive pricing for plants and materials, including a donation of 10,000 bulbs from JUB of Holland. The generosity of this contribution enabled every staff member and volunteer to participate in bulb planting over two weeks. Our ongoing partnership with Blind Veterans UK has inspired the development of an additional four gardens, including projects at their newest centre in Littlehampton and the largest ever display garden at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Show. These initiatives have also connected us with further social value projects, such as those for BLESMA and the RAF 100th Anniversary.

In addition to our work with veterans, we have made significant contributions to children’s hospices in collaboration with the Greenfingers Charity. Most recently, we completed our third garden for Greenfingers at Chestnut Tree House near Littlehampton, following successful designs for Demelzas in Sittingbourne and Richard House in East London. While Greenfingers ensures recognition of our professional services through fees and prioritises project resources, we frequently contribute additional time and leverage our industry relationships due to the rewarding nature of these endeavours. Another notable project is the Quiet Garden in Holland Park—a space designed to offer tranquility for children seeking respite in a bustling public park in central London.

While we regularly receive requests to assist with community projects, it is necessary to balance pro bono commitments with our business operations. Nonetheless, we recognise the value we can provide through advisory roles. Andrew, for example, serves as an advisor and trustee for Thrive, the national charity for therapeutic horticulture, and as a patron of Veterans’ Growth, which supports armed forces veterans facing mental health challenges, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). By fostering social connections during these horticultural initiatives, we have observed meaningful outcomes in reducing isolation, stress, and anxiety among participants.

In the immediate future we have a few projects on our books that continue this tradition of adding social value. It’s immensely rewarding to us as much as we hope to the communities that we work with.

Image – Demelza’s Children’s Hospice, Sittingbourne Kent