by Holly Chapman | 20 Feb 26 | Garden Design, News
Following the completion of five new therapeutic gardens across the UK in 2025, Greenfingers Charity moves forward with new hospice gardens for 2026.
Three new garden projects are going through progression, each delivered to shape around the specific needs of its hospice community.
In Winchester, the Naomi House and Jack’s Place garden will be Greenfingers 75th, designed by Helen Elks Smith to support both play and quiet reflection.
The second garden coming in 2026 will be located in Little Havens. Essex, which will bring a major refresh and redevelopment of the existing Grow Your Own garden.
A reflection garden will then be delivered by Baylis Landscapes at Haven House in Woodford Green.
Neil Sewell, operations director at Greenfingers says “every unique Greenfingers garden starts with listening to the hospice teams, to families and to what children need most in that moment.” He adds:
“As we move into 2026, we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve delivered so far, and deeply aware of how vital continued support is to help us create more of these life-changing gardens.”
Greenfingers looks toward 2026 with a focus on turning ambition into action.
by Holly Chapman | 24 Oct 25 | Garden Design, News
The Greenfingers Charity has celebrated the opening of The Centred Garden at Acorns Children’s Hospice in Walsall.
Created by Vanessa and Rachel of VaRa Garden Design alongside Paul Taylor Landscapes, the garden has been designed as a safe, accessible and stimulating environment for children of all ages.
Featuring sensory planting, interactive zones and tranquil seating areas, the garden has been made to invite play, exploration and quiet reflections.
Made possible by The Hospital Saturday Fund, LOFA, Clarins and other Greenfingers supporters, the garden opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Greenfingers patron David Domoney.
Boyd Douglas Davies, chairman, says the garden is a “remarkable example of what can be achieved when compassion, creativity and collaboration are guided by a shared commitment to improving the lives of others”.
The project marked another milestone Greenfingers Charity ongoing mission to design therapeutic gardens for children and families.
by Holly Chapman | 02 Oct 25 | Garden Design, News
The Greenfingers Charity made its debut at RHS Wentworth Woodhouse back in July with the Together Garden, designed by Phil Hurst and Joanne Charlton.
Featuring immersive planting, flowering layout and curved timber benches, the garden is being rebuilt at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice in Sheffield.
Alongside Jus Landscapes, the charity and design team have been working carefully to move each plant and feature to its permanent setting.
Hurst explains “showing the garden at RHS Wentworth Woodhouse gave us a rare opportunity to share that story with the public, and we are very proud to see it begin to take root and blossom in its forever home”.
Boyd Douglas-Davies, chair of Greenfingers also comments on the garden’s relocation:
“From its moving debut at RHS Wentworth Woodhouse to its new forever home at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, the Together Garden embodies everything Greenfingers stands for: compassion, creativity, and connection through nature.”
The Together Garden is now nestled within the hospice’s much-loved outdoor space, intended to enrich it with a palace of peace, reflection and togetherness for many years to come.
by Holly Chapman | 16 Jun 25 | News
Richard Jackson, founder president of Greenfingers Charity has been awarded a member of the order of the British Empire (MBE) in His Majesty the King’s birthday honours list.
Given to Jackson for his charitable work, the MBE comes as the charity celebrates its 25th anniversary.
Greenfingers Charity has designed and delivered over 70 outdoor spaces for children’s hospices.
Jackson says he is “humbled” to be recognised, adding:
“This award is a reflection of everyone who has supported the charity over the years – from our volunteers to the garden designers, hospice staff, sponsors and fundraisers.”
Also known as a gardening advocate, Jackson helped to establish the annual garden press event, a key date in the industry calendar.
by Bethany Vann | 22 Jul 24 | Garden Design, News
After three years, a singular route access space has been transformed by Greenfingers Charity into a sensory sanctuary in the heart of a local hospice.
Located in the heart of Derian House Children’s Hospice, the Sensory Garden combines functionality and privacy, alongside places of reflection, fun and memorial.
The space, previously only accessible via the main building and overlooked by children’s bedrooms, now offers a mixture of interactive zones linked by a central covered space for all to engage with.
The initial vision came to life thanks to designer Chris Forshaw and landscaper Gavin Jones, guided by project manager Joanne Kennedy which saw a once ‘tired’ courtyard given a new lease on life.
Sue Allen, Greenfingers chair comments on the gardens development:
“Chris’s vision for the courtyard space at Derian House was truly inspiring on paper, but in real life it is even better. We’re so pleased to be officially handing over the garden to the Derian House team and would like to thank everyone who has been involved.”
by Bethany Vann | 27 Feb 24 | Commercial Landscaping, Garden Design, News
Children’s hospice garden charity, Greenfingers, appoints new operations director.
Neil Sewell will be responsible for delivering Greenfingers’ new garden projects and expanding the Garden Re-Fresh programme.
The charity bids farewell to Sally Jenkins, director of finance and resource, her role will be incorporated into that of the operation director.
Greenfinger’s chairman, Sue Allen says Sewell’s “experience and knowledge will be an asset” to the charity’s future development, helping support relations with hospices, garden designers and landscape contractors.
by Bethany Vann | 19 Feb 24 | Supplier News
Three flower companies will be donating their perennial ‘garden’ to a national children’s hospice garden charity after its showcase at the upcoming Garden Press Event.
JUB Holland, Keukenhof and Rijnbeek Perennials will be exhibiting an array of their early flowering varieties through a mini ‘perennial meadow’ display at this year’s event .
Post-event the meadow will be donated to the Greenfingers Charity, where it will be replanted at Demelza Hospice in Sittingbourne, Kent, which is home to the charity’s first-ever garden, planted 25 years ago.
Featuring over 120 plants, including Crocus ‘Aqua’, Helleborus orientalis, Muscari ‘Baby’s Breath’, Primula vulgaris, Viola odorata ‘Königin Charlotte’ and Centaurea montana ‘Tini’s Pink’®, the ‘garden’ is the blueprint of the border that the companies have planted together at Keukenhof in Lisse, Netherlands.
Director of fundraising and communications at the Greenfingers Charity, Linda Petron, says the meadow will be a “welcome addition to the existing garden at Demelza Hospice.”
She goes on to say: “Even on the darkest days, these flowers will play an important role, often being adopted as flowers of remembrance for those to whom we’ve said goodbye.”
Planting will be overseen by Tammy Woodhouse, Greenfingers Trustee and managing director of Millbrook Garden Centres.
The official handover of the garden will take place at the Garden Press Event (20 February) at 11:30am at stands H141/142.
by Bethany Vann | 24 Jan 24 | News
The Most Jumperful Time of the Year– where two individuals don festive jumpers for the whole of December- has now come to an end with this year’s wearers raising more than £7,000 for the Greenfingers Charity in 2023.
Linda Petrons, Greenfingers’ fundraising and communications director, and Tammy Woodhouse from Millbrook Garden Centres, ‘enjoyed’ 25 jumpers a piece.
Spreading the festive cheer 24/7 by wearing them to all business meetings, fundraising events and even at home, there was no escaping the holiday spirit for the pair or those around them, who managed to raise over £7,000.
The Most Jumperful with Linda Petrons
Petrons comments on the fundraising saying: “’The Most Jumperful Time’ is a really fun way to raise funds for Greenfingers, though some days it can be somewhat itchy!
“The biggest thank you goes out to those who donated and kindly sponsored daily jumpers. Your generosity and added support each day by wearing your own jumpers has made an enormous difference in helping to make this annual activity a real highlight in our fundraising calendar.”
Since 2020 when ‘The Most Jumperful’ was launched by Natalie Porter, the event has raised over £20k for the Greenfingers Charity.
And despite 2024’s event being on the distant horizon, the mantle has been passed to Chris Moncrieff, RHS head of information and advice, and Kimberley Hornby, owner of the garden PR agency Horny George PR company, who will don the festive jumpers all month round.
To find out more about the event, visit www.themostjumperful.co.uk.
by Bethany Vann | 12 Oct 23 | Garden Design, News
Work began last month on Greenfingers’ latest garden builds at The Nook in Norfolk and Demelza Hospice in Sittingbourne, Kent.
The Nook – Norfolk
The Rest & Reflect Garden will be the first garden space created at The Nook, which is East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices newest site.
Designed by Gold-medal winning designer, Anne Marie Powell, the garden located at the top of the site will offer a tranquil, sensory space, with the inclusion of quiet areas encompassing the site, providing “all who spend time at The Nook with a peaceful hideaway”, says Linda Petrons, director of fundraising and communications at Greenfingers.
Suffolk based company, Stewart Landscape Construction are leading the build, which is being funded by several of the charity’s supporters, including the National Garden Scheme, Evergreen Garden Care, and Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association.
“Reaching this point has not been without its challenges, but now we’re full steam ahead on what we hope is the beginning of a very long legacy for the charity at this hospice.”
Work begins at The Nook
Demelza Hospice – Sittingbourne, Kent
Demelza Hospice Care for Children in Sittingbourne is the site of Greenfingers’ first-ever garden almost 25 years ago.
Award-winning designers Andrew Fisher Tomlin & Dan Bowyer are leading the design, with local contractors Baylis Landscapers heading up the build.
The garden will focus on nature engagement, featuring multiple biodiverse habitats, including a bog garden, a wildlife safari with a wild meadow area for pollinators, an ant walk and a bug hotel, with complete accessibility for all visitors, “to create an immersive and interactive space full of play, nature, and engagement.”
The project is being supported by Millbrook Garden Centres, Clarins and other Greenfinger patrons.
Works begins at Demelza House
