"It’s all about community"
In 2017 we sponsored a special garden at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.
The ‘It’s all about community’ garden, created by celebrated designers Andrew Fisher Tomlin and Dan Bowyer, was one of the largest show gardens at Hampton Court that year.
We received both a gold medal and an award for best construction.
The garden featured traditional stone, oak and willow, which came together with ornamental trees, flowers, an orchard and a kitchen garden. The major structure was a willow vine sculpture that wrapped around the whole garden. The sculpture, created by renowned artist Tom Hare, allowed visitors to walk through parts and experience the textures, colours and fragrance of the garden first hand. They also got to enjoy a number of art and craft sculptures and features made by blind veterans themselves.
Andrew's partner and garden designer Dan Bowyer said, "It is not the traditional idea of a 'sensory' garden for vision impairment, but celebrates the ability, activity and vibrancy of the blind veterans the charity supports. We are so proud to be working with Blind Veterans UK once again."
"The garden reflects a sense of community, exploring many different aspects of what Blind Veterans UK does - bringing people together, supporting passive and active therapy, providing vital life skills and independence, offering learning, training and recreation opportunities."Andrew Fisher Tomlin
Inspirational veteran Lewis is still gardening at the age of 92!
Despite losing his sight, he is still able to do things by feel and perseverance.
"I find the quality of my life while I'm out in my garden is good. I’m able to do things that provide me with a sense of peace, worth, and enjoyment, that I wouldn’t otherwise have."
Lewis attended the show and enjoyed meeting our Patron HRH Countess of Wessex and the Hairy Bikers.
Blind veterans visiting our gold medal winning show garden
Our community
“This garden represents the community of blind veterans that we hope to grow. As the average age of the veterans we support is rising, we have now extended our services to provide more practical and emotional support closer to our beneficiary’s own communities."Chief Executive, Nick Caplin
Visiting the garden
After the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, the garden was divided between our two main training and rehabilitation centres in Brighton and Llandudno.
This way our blind veterans can enjoy the flowers, trees and incredible structures made by master craftsman for many years to come.