Alice Cornwell, Community Development Officer, RHS Wisley

Alice works in southeast London as an RHS Community Development Officer helping to facilitate many community projects in the area

Alice’s career story

Alice taking time out to enjoy the beautiful blooms on display

A journey into horticulture

Alice came to work in the RHS Community team after quite a crazy career path. Six years ago, she was a professional dancer, touring the world as a cat in Cats the musical. She then decided to change careers and begin her journey in horticulture.

Alice had several job aspirations when she was younger (each week it changed), but her top three were: Gardener, Body builder and Dancer. She feels fortunate that she’s so far managed to tick two of her three main ambition.

Finding rewarding moments

Alice thinks the most rewarding part of her role is “pretty much the whole job”. Seeing people’s faces when they’ve planted their first seed or got their hands messy are some of her favourite parts.

She really enjoys facilitating and enabling big community garden projects, such as the Lewisham Wellbeing Garden, which was put in place for staff and patients from the outset of the COVID-19 crisis to allow them rest, reflect and just ‘be in’ a tranquil setting.

Community group making use of the space within the garden

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“Community Outreach at the RHS, expands the reach from gardens like RHS Wisley and shows out into those communities that are under-represented in horticulture.”

Alice, Community Development Officer

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The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.