Donated tools collected at RHS Garden Wisley Plant Centre have given the green light to garden for local schools – they just have to go to jail first.
The Wisley Plant Centre in Surrey is a new collection point for the ‘Tools for Schools’ scheme, a project organised by The Conservation Foundation that sees unwanted tools taken to HMP Wandsworth prison to be refurbished and restored by prison inmates.
Approximately 400 unwanted and broken tools were donated, by visitors, RHS members and employees, to the Plant Centre since the launch in spring. Tools were then transported to the prison to be refurbished before being re-allocated to more than 170 children, parents and staff from almost 70 schools and community groups at the prison giveaway on 3 October.
Children from local schools including Bishop David Brown School in Woking (pictured) and St Josephs School in Croydon spent the day at the prison to get a sense of life ‘inside’ before collecting their new tool ‘starter packs’ and watering cans.
Nigel Eaton, Plant Centre Manager at Wisley is delighted with the success of the project. “The Tools for Schools scheme is an environmentally-friendly project which enables the RHS to bring the joy of gardening to local school children. We are very pleased with the donations from our visitors and want to continue to take part in this excellent community project. “
Head of RHS Education, Ruth Taylor, also welcomes the new initiative: “We know lots of schools want to start school gardens but lack funds and resources,” she says. ‘Free tools for schools’ is a wonderful opportunity for schools that need the extra resource.”