Young people's charity in Kirklees gets things growing for Chelsea Flower Show

Published by Jerry Lyons for Home Group in Housing and also in Bill Payments, Central Government, Communities, Education, Environment, Health, Local Government

Residents of a young people’s supported housing service in Batley have won an opportunity to exhibit their gardening skills at the world famous Chelsea Flower Show in May as part of what will be the largest ever garden constructed at the show.

The green fingered youngsters live at supported housing provider Stonham’s Batley Foyer and are growing more than 300 plants for the “places of change” Garden at the Royal Horticultural Society’s show piece event

Batley Foyer has ten self-contained studio flats, offering comfort, privacy and security for vulnerable young people, some of whom have experienced homelessness.

Having won the chance to exhibit at the flower show they began preparing growing plants in February.

Stonham Project Worker Matt Barker, said: “The harsh winter gave us a big challenge but we’re getting there and the growing progress is now back on track. It will be amazing to see our residents’ hard work on show to what is a global audience.

“Also there has been a lot of discussion among residents on the culture of the RHS and the impact that the presence of homeless and young peoples services from all over the country attending will have, Hopefully this will be an opportunity to show that young people are able to demonstrate commitment and dedication to such an ambitious project as the places for change garden.

Laura Stocks, 19 , said, “It has taken a lot of commitment and patience to get to the stage we are with the plants for the show and I will be very proud to be stood at the Garden over the week of the show. I hope it will be an opportunity to show that young people can work together and create something to be proud of”

Kaylea Williams: also 19 added: “It will be fantastic to see the results of our work contributing to such a big project at one of the biggest shows of its kind in the world, I have enjoyed the gardening work more than I expected and I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to see the finished garden”

For more information or to arrange an interview with Matt or one of the residents please call Matt on 01924 500 765.