Community projects
We are further spreading the word of how important plants are to our everyday lives by engaging with school children, young people and community groups across London.
Help Us Grow: a social and therapeutic horticulture programme for people in recovery
Chelsea Physic Garden runs a free 9-week programme for adults recovering from physical and mental ill health. Please note that the 2023 programme is over. We will run our next programme in 2024.
The programme brings together a diverse range of people who spend time together learning about the Garden and being in nature. Participants will do various activities involving:
- basic gardening
- learning about the healing power of plants and making herbal remedies
- creative activities, such as drawing for mental health
Previous participants have said:
“HUG provided an involving and kind learning environment: thank you so much.”
“Overall it has been a positive experience for structuring my week, getting out of the house and being in a social environment.”
To apply, please send an email to stating any reasons you wish to join the Help Us Grow programme. As the 2023 programme is now over, you will be added to the waiting list and be contacted when the next programme is due to begin in 2024.
- There is no fee to participate
- Applicants are welcomed on a first come first served basis
We are grateful to the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust for awarding us £3000 to support the running of Help Us Grow.
Community Greening Projects
In 2020, we supported the Royal Brompton Hospital to green their courtyard garden, working alongside Brompton Arts and the Brompton Fountain. This has provided a calm and beautiful space for patients and their families to visit and enjoy.
Now, we are working with Chelsea Academy to help green their roof terraces. As a local school with no onsite green space this project will support the wellbeing of students, as well as helping them to learn about the natural world.
We are grateful to the Foyle Foundation, the Goldsmith’s Company Charity, and the Kusuma Trust for supporting these projects.
Remembered Remedies
Free community story sharing project
Chelsea Physic Garden collaborated with storyteller, Sally Pomme Clayton in 2022 and 2023, celebrating your stories about plants in a project called, Remembered Remedies.
Remedies are medicines or treatments that cure or relieve us from pain or illness. Through this project we explored remedies from our heritage whilst enjoying the positive wellbeing impact of being at Chelsea Physic Garden through Spring.
Tea, Talk and Walk
Monthly community meet ups
Since January 2023 we have been hosting a free monthly drop-in session for people in the local community who have limited connections with others and green spaces. Tea, Talk and Walk perfectly describes the sessions. Participants are greeted by our dedicated team of staff and volunteers in our Learning Centre. We chat and have light refreshments, including hot beverages, followed by going on slow walks around the Garden in small groups.
This programme enables people to see Chelsea Physic Garden in a gentle social setting without committing to any long term engagement programme.
Thank you
Our Learning and Engagement work is supported by the City Bridge Trust, John Lyon's Charity and RUB White Charitable Trust. We would not be able to run our projects and programmes to engage school children, families, and adult learners without their support.
Join our community
If you would like visit the garden with your community group or develop a community projects alongside our Learning and Engagement Officer, please contact