Founder of grassroots organisation Grow to Know Tayshan Hayden-Smith has stepped down as RHS ambassador of community and young people.

Hayden-Smith says, “whilst there have been positive moments to reflect on during my time as an RHS ambassador, the decision to step down reflects a deeper divergence in priorities.”

Part of the charity’s mission was to build a bridge between the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and North Kensington’s local community. According to Grow to Know, this decision comes as a result of a strained relationship with the charity.

An organisation founded in response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy, Good to Know launched ‘Hands off Mangrove’ at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in a fight for environmental and social justice.

Closing the Green Gap is a new fundraising campaign launched by the charity, aimed at delivering permanent, community gardens in relation to RHS Chelsea standards with long-term impact.

The inaugural garden will be located at Lancaster Youth Hub in North Kensington in collaboration with young people and grassroots empowerment organisations Fit for Life Youth, Young K&C and London Sports Trust.

Fundraising for this garden will create a space of wellbeing, creativity for local young people and highlights the importance of equitable resource distribution across the borough. Hayden-Smith adds:

“Grow to Know is a vessel for meaningful change – with this, we welcome allies, funders, and the wider public to stand and journey alongside us in closing the green gap – once and for all.”

The RHS responds:

“The RHS delivers one of the UK’s biggest national community gardening initiatives, investing millions in school gardening, community outreach and grass roots projects.”

The horticultural society also says it “provided direct funding towards a community garden” in North Kensington with Grow to Know.