The only Museum of the Home in the world, the Hoxton-based organisation champions accessible community space for children and young people.
What once sat as disused land at the back of the museum, the area has been recently transformed into the site’s Discovery Garden. Designed to provide a wellbeing space for children and young people, the permaculture and play garden is now a community space amid a lack of child-friendly outdoor space in the area.
Credit: Hallie Adukë Prumis
Free to access and open to the public six days a week, the museum is a place to learn about how the world lived in the past, how people live today and how a changing climate could spark a rethink into the ways people live everyday.
Head gardener Bryn Hutchinson, despite working at Royal Botanic Gardens in Australia and National Trust sites across the UK, has always found himself drawn towards community projects, gardens and organisations. Embarking on this role earlier in the year, he acts as a prominent figure as the garden opens to the public. He says:
“Museum of the Home wanted to have an outdoor space that they could engage with the local community as well as school groups and children with gardening, elements of permaculture and sustainable, biodiverse gardening.”
Benefits of green space to mental health and wellbeing is there and it’s growing, Hutchinson explains, and he realises how much people gravitate towards the outdoors. “As we come into some more heat waves, the importance of green space and a place to cool down and relax only grows. Feeling connected to nature is also important,” he says.
A connection to nature can be created at a young age, too. When cultivating the Discovery Garden, “part of the key reason behind creating the garden as a collaborative project was to have some of the local schools involved in the design element,” Hutchinson explains. Some of the structures have been directly created by children, “which means there is a continuous relationship with some of the local community groups.”
The groups of children that visited the garden during the early stages will continue to act as ambassadors as it grows.
Credit: Hallie Adukë Prumis
Not only a community space, the garden acts as a reminder of the planet’s changing climate. “The museum is a key reminder that the planet is our home, too. We’re trying to reflect that into our practices and garden management,” explains Hutchinson. He adds:
“We’re using this as an opportunity to think about what works and what doesn’t work, and how we can make our gardens resilient. This will feed into our design, which can be used as an educational moment as well for the population and the community around here.”
Sustainable and innovative techniques have been used across the garden, for example using materials that are already on site through reusing green waste from dead hedging for habitats, new walls or hedges. “This is a tradition of managing the land that we have here already. It’s a form of interpreting things from the past,” Hutchinson states.
Much like what is displayed inside the museum, it is strongly reflected in its outdoor spaces. “We’ve got everything from a 17th century room to a future room, which can be reflective of the garden spaces,” he adds.
As the garden blooms, it will always remain unfinished. From new growth to new children, “we’re manage it according to needs, desires and wants of the particular generation of people that are around it,” says Hutchinson.
Find out more about the Discovery Garden and Museum of the Home here.
The transformation of Belvedere Park at East Village in Stratford has begun construction.
Led by landscape architecture practice Grant Associates, the redesign features a new community-focused public space for client Get Living, a build to rent operator and developer.
The 0.62 hectare park designed by Grant Associates has been conceived as a contemporary interpretation of the English garden.
As the park unfolds, a sequence of immersive spaces will lead visitors towards trellis arches, vibrant planting and play spaces.
Works are now underway on the project, with landscape contractor Maylim leading delivery on site with completion expected in the late summer.
At the centre of the landscape, a vibrant play area will feature inclusive and varied equipment alongside carefully positioned seating.
The overall planting strategy is both resilient and ecologically rich, drawing on colour, flow and perception of the space.
Ibrahim Diaz, associate director at Grant Associates, comments on the project:
“Belvedere Park transforms what was once an exposed, predominantly lawned space into a landscape that offers a strong sense of refuge and discovery for the community.
“The design is defined by a distinctive green armature, enclosing a series of playful, intimate spaces where rich planting is interwoven with community areas, seating, play spaces, and trellised structures.”
Belvedere Park forms part of the continuing evolution of East Village.
Three projects have been selected within the 2026 Kebur Community Project Awards to highlight collaboration across the industry and its impact on community.
The projects, located in Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire, will share £3,000 worth of garden materials to support the transformation of its outdoor spaces.
Tower Hill Primary School has been awarded £1,500 for a pupil-led scheme to convert a derelict area into a whispering willow nature garden, while Yateley Industries for the Disabled has secured £1,000 for plans to redevelop a memorial garden into a fully accessible, wildlife-rich space.
Stellar Grove has received £500 to create a dedicated garden area for vulnerable children.
Jo Holtom, business partner at Kebur comments on the awards:
“By supporting community-led initiatives, and working alongside partners across the industry, we’re able to help create spaces that deliver long-term social and environmental value.”
The awards continue to make a difference in supporting grassroots projects.
St Mary’s Parsonage, a city-centre neighbourhood in Manchester, is set to undergo a complete revamp to improve its public realm and connectivity.
Manchester City Council is on the hunt for a multidisciplinary team to shape the coordinated public realm and movement strategy, which is set to deliver over 1.2million sq ft of commercial space support over 10,000 jobs, hundreds of new homes and new hotel provision.
The transformation is anchored by the major redevelopment of the former Kendals department store building in Deansgate. Christened the ‘Kendals District’, plans have recently ben unveiled by Relentless Developments — the property company co-founded by Gary Neville.
To support the growth within St Mary’s Parsonage, the council looks to bring forward a cohesive approach to maximise the potential for the spaces between the buildings, ensuring new development creates a more attractive, accessible neighbourhood with high-quality public spaces.
Councillor Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, comments on the revamp:
“We believe this part of our city centre has a huge amount of potential, but it needs unlocking. So it’s important that as a Council we can sew together the various developments to create a cohesive neighbourhood that puts people at the forefront, alongside excellent public spaces, green and blue assets and active travel opportunities.”
The Kendals building redevelopment has been accelerated by an £44m investment through the Good Growth Fund, acting as a key driver for the future of the overall neighbourhood.
Building materials supplier Huws Gray has announced the launch of a new initiative, Pick & Pledge, which encourages colleagues to give back to local communities by volunteering.
Pick & Pledge intends to give its employees a chance to dedicate time to causes they care about. Through this initiative, “colleagues are empowered to volunteer their time to support local charities and community groups, contribute to causes aligned with their personal passions, and make a meaningful difference in the communities Huws Gray serves,” says the Group.
Most recently, Daiva Castle, who works in accounts, volunteers with the Cemaes Coastguard Rescue Team, completing rope technician training and developing cliff-rescue skills.
Daksh Gupta, chief executive of Huws Gray, comments:
“Pick & Pledge reflects our commitment to supporting the communities in which we operate. Our colleagues are the heart of our business, and this initiative gives them the opportunity to contribute their time and skills to causes that matter to them, while making a real difference locally.”
Created to strengthen Huws Gray’s social value approach, the volunteering initiative aligns with the Group’s values and long-term CSR priorities.
In June, Huws Gray announced the appointment of Jon Mugridge as operations director for plant and tool hire as the company continues to strengthen its offering.
A new 100% affordable neighbourhood is set to come to Birley Fields in Hulme, Manchester with a focus on green community space and biodiversity.
Following a two-stage bidding process, Glenbrook has been named as the preferred developer to take forward the development programme.
Glenbrook intends to feature new garden space, improved biodiversity and ensure that existing trees will be retained and celebrated. Senior development manager Jamie Sutton comments:
“As a developer, we are acutely aware of the responsibility we hold in delivering such an important scheme, one that provides considered architecture and public realm whilst responding to the needs of the wider community.”
Engagement in early 2025 with local residents and stakeholders looked to create long-term community involvement, which highlighted the importance of improved cycle and pedestrian routes, affordable housing and the need for a low-carbon, net-zero-ready buildings.
Alongside a range of green and public spaces, the development plan includes a total 293 affordable homes.
A clear strategy has been set out for achieving a biodiversity net gain, including a combination of on-site enhancements and ecological assessment.
The scheme is also set to create 71 new full-time jobs, support 90 additional roles and provide a Hulme bursary through Regeneration Brainery to provide an employment pathway into the construction industry for local young people.
A planning application has been submitted to relocate Moston Superstore in Manchester from Pym Street in order to unlock a new public square in its former location.
The superstore will move to a site on Kenyon Lane currently occupied by the Ebsworth Street car park, pending planning approval, which will provide residents with a larger food shop and dedicated car parking and cycle store.
Featuring new seating, lighting, trees and planting, the new public square will eventually host markets and community events.
To date, the Moston project has already seen new social housing, new pocket parks and green spaces, junction improvements, road safety works, new alley-gates and investment to tackle fly-tipping and environmental issues.
As well as the new public square, the 2023 framework indicated that the vacant sites behind Moston Lane could also accommodate around 80 new homes.
Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council says “We have ambitious plans to see over £25m investment into Moston Lane and this is a significant milestone for the Moston community as this planning application marks an important step in creating a brand-new public square at the heart of the neighbourhood.” She adds:
“We are committed to making sure Moston can meet its huge potential with substantial investment– along with our high streets and district centres across the city. This application fires the starting gun on getting to work on delivery with local residents at its heart.”
Draft designs for the plans will be published once Manchester City Council has selected a developer to build the new space, homes and commercial space.
International landscape architecture firm Snøhetta has moved to a new studio office in Hong Kong that is designed to foster collaboration, openness and meaningful engagement.
Featuring a large outdoor entrance, the studio reflects Snøhetta’s commitment to creating inclusive environments that nurture human connection.
“Our new Hong Kong studio reflects Snøhetta’s core approach – one that embraces an interactive design process with the whole team, and focuses on contextual sensitivity, human interaction, and environmental and social sustainability,” says Richard Wood, managing director Asia at Snøhetta.
Framed by greenery and street-facing windows, the studio has been created using recycled wood, stone and aluminum.
Evoking the experience of mountain hikes, the design concept reflects a shared reverence for the outdoors that is woven into both Norwegian and Hong Kong’s cultures.
Now in its ninth year, the Future Gardeners programme held a graduation ceremony for its 24th class at the Chelsea Physic Garden in London.
With a 100% graduation rate, the 14 graduating students were joined by the Horticultural Trades Association’s Jennifer Pheasey and the National Garden Scheme’s (NGS) Dr Richard Claxton.
Run in London by Bankside Open Spaces Trust (BOST), the ten weeks course is an environmental and volunteering charity working to develop outstanding green spaces and outdoor activities that enhance health and wellbeing.
The class were also given an inspiring speech from former graduate in 2022, Dan Lea, who now works as an urban gardener with Better Bankside BID.
Lea led with encouraging employers to take a chance on someone, whilst advising the students to “use those connections you’ve made on this course,” describing it as “fundamental”.
Pheasey emphasised the importance of joining the horticulture world as “we cannot breathe without horticulture and the work that you do,” she tells the graduating class.
Claxton, as chief executive of the NGS, also spoke about the importance of the students and the Future Gardeners course. Whilst the scheme contributes to the support of the course, he teased the financial support should be going up.
A “life changing” course, a student, Chantelle Bernard, welcomes the world of horticulture as something “I never knew about before”.
The course also celebrated three outstanding students, two of which are currently working on the Queen Elizabeth II memorial garden in Regent’s Park with Blakedown Landscapes, whilst the third has been working at Kew Gardens.
Working alongside London borough of Camden and landscape architect Groundwork London, the Frosts team successfully delivered a “safer, greener and more inviting community area for residents to enjoy,” explains the landscapers.
Works included a new MUGA sports pitch, new planting, fencing, seating areas, play are resurfacing and new pathways.
Forming part of Camden’s wider vision to create more inclusive, high-quality public spaces that promote wellbeing and biodiversity, the project was Frosts second public realm improvement scheme.
A local resident described the transformed space as a lovely redevelopment of what may be considered a small space, but one that really does have an impact on the local community. It’s the busiest I’ve seen the space used fro a long time and ai am very thankful that the young people have a really nice place to play”.
Director of Walker Landscape & Design, Ben Walker has announced the introduction of a new outdoor living community portal; The Walker Collective.
Unveiled at FutureScape, which took place at Excel London on 7-8 October, the community portal intends to create a new space for trade professionals.
Those interested within the industry can gain a free membership to access an online portal with CAD design and Sketchup models of Walker Landscape & Design products, trade-only pricing, Walker Collective reward scheme, networking events and partner-only training sessions.
Walker explains “we’re creating an online community that can really give some value back into the industry and give them the inside track,” adding:
“We can help people avoid the pitfalls that can come with outdoor living. We’re going to have a private video portal where I will do a deep dive into specific products once a month, to give honest tips and tricks on how to specify certain products as a way to make it as smooth as possible for people.”
Directed towards a range of creative trade professionals within outdoor living, The Walker Collective invites everyone from landscapers and garden designers to architects and interior designers to join the community.
Professionals can join now, by submitting this form with their details, as Walker will release more information over the coming weeks.
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew), has launched a new free growing guide to help individuals and community groups set up and run successful growing projects entitled The Grow Wild Guide.
The first resource of its kind produced by RBG Kew, the guide draws on inspirations from stories and experiences of over 400 community initiates supported by Grow Wild.
A national outreach programme, Grow Wild has been supporting grassroots community growing projects across the UK for over a decade, directly impacting the UK’s 30% most deprived areas.
The Grow Wild Guide offers practical tips, expert advice and green space inspiration that bring people together and promote biodiversity.
A culmination of over £1m in grants awarded to 375 young people and over 400 community projects, the Grow Wild Guide has been in the works with Grow Wild since its creation in 2014.
Polly Gifford, Grow Wild and youth programme manager at RBG Kew describes the guide as “an empowering source,” adding:
“Whether you’re looking to start a garden or rejuvenate a community space, the guide offers everything you need to take that first step.”
Regal, a London-based property developer, has secured planning approval for a £500m mixed-use site at Orchard Wharf in London Docklands.
Located on the north bank of the Thames, Orchard Wharf is planned to host a logistic centre, 200 affordable flats, student accommodation and public space comprising landscaped gardens, play areas and community facilities.
The 7,400m2 will be designed by Howells and worked up with Montagu Evans.
Steve Harrington, Regal planning director says this step is an important one “towards new affordable homes while ensuring the long-term future of the wharf as a sustainable logistics hub”.
The wharf is also intended to create a space with community benefit.
Construction is predicted during the first months of 2026.
The National Garden Scheme is opening applications for its 2026 Community Garden Grants, supported by the Julia Rausing Trust on 15 September until 20 October 2025.
Awards between £1,500 and £5,000 will be granted depending on individual merit.
The scheme will be looking for projects to foster diversity and support people with physical or mental disabilities.
George Plumptre, National Garden Scheme chief executive, says the system has changed slightly this year, meaning only the first 300 applications will be eligible for consideration.
In 2025, 114 community garden projects were funded with grants totalling £288,876 to support gardens and allotments supporting mental health and wellbeing.
“We want to see this funding going to the heart of communities, supporting projects that engage and invigorate diverse audiences, many of whom will discover for the first time the huge benefits that gardens and gardening bring to their health, wellbeing and to the surrounding environment.”
Returning for a third year, RHS and BBC One’s The One Show have opened nominations for the Growing Together Award for Community Gardening 2025.
The award shines a light on groups that have transformed underused and unloved spaces into community gardens accessible to people of all backgrounds and gardening abilities.
Launched by comedian and keen gardener Tom Allen, who will also profile finalists and reveal the winning community garden on The One Show in autumn.
Last year’s winners, Grass Roots Oldham transformed the derelict site in Greater Manchester into a space with an orchard, forest school, animal husbandry and conservation workshops.
Allen says the award “celebrates everything gardening is about,” adding:
“It shows what we can all achieve if we work together to bring life to otherwise underused spaces and the results for everyone are immense.”
Applications are now open on the RHS website until 6pm on 13th June. The overall winner will receive £1000 in National Garden Gift Vouchers, while runners up will each receive £100.
