Double award win for Rochdale homelessness charity at RHS Tatton Park

Rochdale-based homelessness charity, Petrus, collected two prestigious awards at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park.

Journey Home was part of the Greener Front Gardens category, and received a Silver Gilt award from show judges. Silver Gilt sits between silver and gold medals. This the highest award Petrus has received at RHS Tatton Park, having previously being awarded bronze and silver medals in 2019 and 2021.
 

Read more: Petrus celebrates double awards at Tatton ParkPublished: 27 July 2021

Petrus’ garden also received the coveted People’s Choice Award for Best Garden for the third year running. This award is voted for by visitors to the show, who are given the opportunity to choose the gardens they loved the most.

Journey Home was designed and built by staff, volunteers and service users from Petrus, offering a place of quiet reflection on what home means to each of us.

 

 

Rachael Bennion, Petrus Service Manager and the garden’s primary designer, said: “It’s incredible what we can do with the right opportunities and support. We met as a team earlier this year to plan our 2022 RHS garden and discussed the idea that you can only have a front garden if you have a home.

“We also talked about the fact that the path some people take to their own front door isn’t always easy. Together, we created and built Journey Home.

“Service users, volunteers and staff attended Tatton Park to speak to visitors about our garden and our whole team is rightfully proud of everything we have achieved.”

Journey Home was featured on BBC Gardener’s World, which highlighted the innovative materials used. This included recycled tv screens, an old dance floor and stones for the path, which were donated by Bacup-based Yorkshire Stepping Stones.

Rachael continued: “We work closely with the Greater Manchester Care Partnership to deliver green social prescribing, horticultural therapy and gardening on prescription services at PIER, our community allotment.

“Our garden at RHS Tatton Park provides incredible opportunities for nature-based activities, which are so important for positive mental health.”