Nurturing the Green Shoots of Opportunity
As a corner of southwest London becomes the focus of global attention this week, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show reminds us not only of the beauty of gardens, but of the deeper potential horticulture has to drive social change and unlock opportunity.
We are very pleased to be working with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to break down barriers to opportunity and boost social mobility. As the UK’s leading gardening charity, the RHS is cultivating far more than plants. It is nurturing opportunity - connecting people to nature, wellbeing, education and, crucially, careers.
A heartfelt moment between David Beckham and Their Majesties King Charles highlighted the emotional and unifying power of gardens and horticulture. Beckham was wearing the King’s Rose - a stunning bloom developed over 12 years by a world-leading rose breeder David Austin in support of the King’s Fund. It was a reminder of the years of skill, dedication and craft that underpin this sector.
RHS’s New Shoots initiative is introducing people of all backgrounds to the wide range of careers in horticulture, from taster sessions to apprenticeships. The Green Skills programme is building practical competencies, while schools are supported through awards, training, and the National Education Nature Park - connecting children with the environment and their future.
As a key partner in The Purpose Coalition’s work in the Heritage & Leisure sector, the RHS is helping to show how this sector can become a ladder for social mobility.
The project is exploring how organisations in the sector can drive social mobility through the lens of outreach, access, recruitment and progression. Following on from similar projects relating to law and accountancy, it will look at how these sectors can widen opportunity, create jobs and encourage economic growth and investment, especially in regions which need the most support. It will share examples of best practice and suggest areas where even more can be done to drive equality of opportunity.
With the environmental horticulture industry contributing £38 billion to the UK economy and supporting over 722,000 jobs in 2023, the stakes are high. Yet with 70% of horticultural businesses struggling to recruit, the time to act really is now.