RHS says Thank You and Happy Anniversary...

to the Helen Hamlyn Trust

This April marks the tenth anniversary of the Helen Hamlyn Trust, the organisation that has directed and funded the Open Futures curriculum initiative for primary schools since 2005. The RHS was one of three founding partners in the initiative, which was the brainchild of Helen Hamlyn herself. Lady Hamlyn’s desire was for young children to learn through practical experience and reflection in order to become more confident, able and active citizens in adult life. In the case of gardening, this meant children ‘getting their hands dirty’ and the RHS was ably poised to make it happen!

Growing in the school garden

Beginning with growit, cookit in six schools in East and West Sussex, Open Futures has grown and developed into the holistic programme it is today, bringing growing, cooking, film making and Philosophy for Children into nearly one hundred UK primary schools. Over the seven year period, funding from the Helen Hamlyn Trust has enabled the RHS to recruit and train six talented gardeners to become ‘growit’ project officers. These officers have been passing on their knowledge, skills and enthusiasm to schools and helping children to experience the awe and wonder that comes with being close to nature.

Whilst working on this initiative with the Helen Hamlyn Trust, the RHS has been able to see the importance of the development of the ‘whole child’ to that young person’s achievement and relationships in school and in later life. These observations have helped to shape much of the project work that the RHS Campaign for School Gardening has been able to achieve for children and young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN).

The RHS would like to thank Lady Hamlyn and the Trustees for their continued support which is enabling the RHS to build its expert knowledge and to share that knowledge with young people and adults who do not readily have access to gardening and nature. The work of the Trust is a true cause for celebration because for those young people and adults involved in the programme, Open Futures has been a life changing experience.

For more information visit the Open Futures initiative website.