A gold medal-winning garden from this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show has officially opened at Leighton Buzzard Youth Centre, where it will provide a dedicated outdoor wellbeing space for children, young people and families.
An official opening event in July brought together councillors, staff and local families to celebrate the garden's arrival and explore its new permanent home.
Designed by award-winning landscape architect Patrick Clarke for The Children's Society, the garden was created in response to the growing pressures on young people's mental health. Inspired by workshops with young people, it was designed to provide a welcoming outdoor space where children and young people can connect with nature, support their wellbeing and access services in a calm environment.
Following its appearance at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the garden was carefully dismantled and transported to Leighton Buzzard Youth Centre, where it was rebuilt over 4 weeks. Young people from the youth centre also helped plant the final beds, becoming part of the garden's journey from the very beginning.
Councillor Gareth Mackey, our Executive Member for Children and Families, said:
It was a pleasure to attend the official opening and see this fantastic space being unveiled for the community. The garden is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when organisations work together with a shared commitment to supporting children, young people and families.
We're proud that Leighton Buzzard Youth Centre has been chosen as the garden's permanent home. Planting a tree is one of the most hopeful things we can do, and I'm excited to see how this space grows with the young people and families who use it. I hope it provides a place where generations of children can connect with nature, support their wellbeing and find happiness for many years to come.
The space is already being used for youth work sessions and will support a range of activities, including family sessions, gardening projects and wellbeing initiatives.