The National Garden Scheme – Supporting Communities At Grass Roots Level

The hugely popular NGS Community Garden Grants provide funding to gardeners from community groups to create or complete a garden or similar project (such as an allotment) with a horticultural focus benefiting local communities or charitable groups. Applications for NGS 2026 Community Garden Grants – generously supported by the Julia Rausing Trust – will open between Monday 15th September and Monday 20th October 2025. Their aim should be to bring a community together by creating or developing a space that people can share, by the acquisition and sharing of gardening knowledge and skills, and by inspiring a love of gardening.  

“Community gardens give people a sense of purpose and hope. We are delighted to provide ongoing support to so many inspirational projects. We welcome applications that foster diversity and/or support people with physical or mental disabilities. With all applications considered on their individual merits, awards between £1,500 and £5,000 will be granted. Please note that due to the popularity of the programme the application process has changed this year with only the first 300 applications eligible for consideration,” says National Garden Scheme Chief Executive, George Plumptre. 

In 2025, 114 community garden projects nationwide were funded with grants totalling £288,876 supporting community gardens and allotments, rehabilitation and regeneration projects, gardens designed to support mental health and wellbeing, as well as training and development for young people.  

National Garden Scheme ambassador, and garden designer aka The Black Gardener, Danny Clarke says, “Being lonely and isolated is one of the worst feelings in the world. Participating in an allotment or community garden can give meaningful social connections and can bring people of all generations, cultures and backgrounds together. The icing on the cake will be that recipient gardens may also one day open for the National Garden Scheme themselves…” 

Earlier this month, Warwickshire & West Midlands NGS Assistant County Organiser Jane Cerone presented a Community Grant plaque (pictured) for the Birmingham Hospice Dragonfly Children’s Healing and Therapy Garden.

Since its creation in 2024 following an NGS grant of £4,426, this special place has offered vital bereavement support to children and teenagers, with tactile connection to nature, meditation, mindfulness, therapy sessions and memorial creation workshops. Outdoor activities can include using water balloons to help process anger. The garden postbox enables letters to be written to departed loved ones, a service required more frequently because of the increasing numbers of young parents receiving end-of-life care.

The Garden was accessible to 131 children supported by CHATs Children’s Healing and Therapeutic Support Team last year, and was spearheaded by Karen Ward, Children’s Therapeutic Practitioner who commented, “Research has shown that a child’s optimal wellbeing can be improved through a connection with nature. Senses are stimulated, all providing children with solace and peace at a time of trauma. 

“The Dragonfly Garden provides a magical space where children can explore and express their emotions on their journey through grief. It is a place for memories to be made, with items left by the children as a lasting tribute to their loved ones.”

Further information:
ngs.org.uk/who-we-are/community-garden-grants/
www.birminghamhospice.org.uk

Jane Cerone (NGS) presents the plaque to Julie O’Toole, Trusts & Grants Manager and volunteer gardener Robert Whittaker at Birmingham Hospice

Words & Images © Lily Farrah / Warwickshire National Garden Scheme