Deadline nears for RHS Greening Grey Britain grants

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is calling on communities across the UK to transform an unloved local space into a green haven this summer.

The RHS Greening Grey Britain Scheme (now in its fourth year) supported by M&G Investments, is offering up to 50 inter-generational gardening projects across the country £500 worth of plants and materials as well as expert advice to help get their plans underway.

Last year, funding helped rejuvenation of the communal garden area at Amber Court, Stratford, (pictured above and left) a supported living scheme in London. The residents were helped to grow their own fruit and veg in the garden with the Met’s Volunteer Police Cadets joining in to lend a hand.

Projects should help improve health and wellbeing, address environmental issues or support local wildlife and might include turning forgotten littered corners into vibrant wildflower meadows, car parks lined with trees to slow down storm water or disused areas becoming productive gardens, with food to share with the community.

RHS Community Outreach Manager, Liz Stuart, points out that in 2018 RHS Greening Grey Britain helped nearly 3,000 people with their greening projects and supplied over 5000 plants: “We’d love to hear from communities interested in improving a local space this year and encourage them to get their bids in,” she said.

The deadline for applications is Midnight 28th February 2019 so hurry while there is still time to apply. For further information please visit: www.rhs.org.uk/ggbwithcommunities

Picture credits: All photographs ©RHS