RHS Network Development Grants awarded

We’re supporting community groups with the RHS Connected Communities – Network Development Grant to create and develop their gardening and growing networks

Community group take part in a planting session

Sharing knowledge and resources

In April 2023, we launched the RHS Connected Communities Grant – Network Development Grant to help community gardening or growing groups registered with Britain in Bloom, It’s Your Neighbourhood and RHS Affiliated Societies to create new, or develop existing, gardening and growing networks. We are thrilled to announce that 29 applicants have been successful, and will each receive between £1,000 and £5,000.

The aim is that these networks will strengthen local community gardening or growing projects and benefit local communities.

“Creating and developing connections between local groups is important to building successful networks. We hope these grants will enable groups to share gardening skills, knowledge and resources. We look forward to sharing stories of how collaborative approaches can help networks thrive.”

Kay Clark, Community Development Manager
Allotmenteers working on their plots

Networks across the UK

Here are just some of the inspiring projects being supported by the RHS Connected Communities – Network Development Grant, including:

  • Grassroots projects in Edinburgh providing fresh organic food to the community
  • Allotment and neighbourhood groups in St Albans tackling climate change and biodiversity loss
  • A grow-your-own edibles initiative reaching marginalised parts of Knighton, Wales
  • Groups in Stretford, Manchester aiming to open a community dye garden to deepen connections to the environment and the clothes we wear.

<h3>The successful applicants for the RHS Connected Communities – Network Development Grant are:</h3>

List of successful applicants
  • Arundel Gardens Association, Arundel
  • Bath Organic Group, Bath
  • Chelmsford CVS, Chelmsford
  • Dingy Butterflies CIC, Gateshead 
  • EcoDewi, Haverfordwest
  • Emmaus Salford, Salford
  • Farncombe Community Garden, Farncombe
  • FRESH Community Wellness, Aberdeen
  • Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden, Edinburgh
  • Friends of Victoria Park, Stretford
  • Glanwydden & Valley Community Trust, Llandudno Junction
  • Gosport Allotment Association, Gosport
  • Havering Volunteer Centre, Romford
  • Huntingdon In Bloom, Huntingdon
  • Let's Grow Preston, Preston
  • Northern Corridor Community Volunteers, North Lanarkshire
  • Sandridge Road Allotment Association, St Albans
  • Season Well, Leeds
  • Sherborne Community Group, Crewe
  • Sherburn Hill Community Hub, Sherburn Hill
  • Sirhowy Hill Woodlands, Tredegar
  • Somerdale Shed and Community Garden, Keynsham
  • St Mary's Walthamstow, London
  • The Comm (Knighton & District Community Centre), Knighton
  • The Dolwen Development Committee, Llanwrtyd Wells
  • The Village Hub, Plymouth
  • The Wonky Garden, Widnes
  • Wallingford Town Council, Wallingford
  • West Marsh Development Trust, Grimsby

“This grant will enable us to develop St Mary’s Churchyards into a place where plants and wildlife flourish, and where lives are transformed. We’ll be working with local organisations to make horticulture accessible to more people – improving wellbeing, developing skills and reducing food poverty.”

St Mary’s Walthamstow

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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.