Volunteers play vital part in showcasing Sue Ryder’s Grief Kind Garden
At this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show, our amazing volunteers helped to showcase our Grief Kind Garden to the public. Here, they reflect on their experiences.
The Sue Ryder Grief Kind Garden
RHS Chelsea Flower Show
At the 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Sue Ryder explored the theme of grief with a sensory garden designed by award winning designer, Katherine Holland.
The Sue Ryder Grief Kind Garden was sponsored by Project Giving Back, the unique grant-giving charity that funds gardens for good causes at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and was in the ‘All About Plants’ category.
The theme of the Sue Ryder Garden was inspired by our Grief Kind movement, encouraging people to be there when it matters and to equip them with the knowledge and tools, they need to support themselves, or those who are grieving.
Sue Ryder garden volunteer, Richard Weedon, at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show
A place of solace
The Grief Kind Garden is now being relocated to Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice, where it will offer a place of solace for hospice staff and volunteers, patients, their families and the local community.
Our Sue Ryder volunteers played a vital part in presenting the Grief Kind Garden, with several gardening volunteers from Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice volunteering on the garden and speaking to members of the public visiting the garden.
There were many special, touching and very moving moments and I was proud to represent Sue Ryder.
A Sue Ryder volunteer
Volunteers shared their feedback:
“I was impressed by all the detail that went into making it such a good week. It was a total privilege to be part of it. There were many special, touching and very moving moments and I was proud to represent Sue Ryder and all the good work they do. I'm also knowledgeable about a few more plants now!”
“Your instructions were very clear and easy to follow. As a recently retired Contract Programme Manager in the Medical Devices industry, I know the difficulties of making sure everyone is on board and pulling in the right direction. The overwhelming response to the garden was magnificent, all feedback related to Sue Ryder was positive as well. The staff from Sue Ryder were excellent in every way, friendly and professional.”