Press Pack and Media Coverage

Press Pack - The Natural Affinity Garden for Aspens

Camellia Taylor, garden designer and Aspens (Reg. Charity No. 1171446) showcased ‘The Natural Affinity Garden for Aspens’, at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show between 22-27 May 2023. Camellia Taylor designed the garden for Aspens which has now been relocated to the charity’s Kent site as a permanent feature, where it provides a therapeutic haven to people the charity supports and its community. The garden was funded by Project Giving Back.

Download the Aspens Press Pack from The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023 here, this includes a Press Release, case studies and a plant list.

Press coverage for The Natural Affinity Garden for Aspens to date

The Natural Affinity Garden on the RHS website

The Natural Affinity Garden for Aspens as featured on the RHS Website

TV and radio

BBC2 RHS Chelsea Flower Show Programme (Episode 9, 25 May 2023)

BBC2 RHS Chelsea Flower Show Programme - Highlights (Episode 13, 27 May 2023)

BBC South East Today (22 May 2023)

ITV Meridian News (23 May 2023)

BBC Radio Kent (11.36 am, 21 May 2023)

BBC Radio Kent (12.10pm, 28 May 2023)

KMTV news (25 May 2023)

Watch Aspens on KMTV News (25 May 2023)

Watch Aspens on KMTV News (17 March 2023)

BBC Radio Kent interview (27 November 2022)

KMTV news (23 November 2022) - Interview with Richard Anstead, Director of Business Development & Income Generation about the exciting news that we are creating The Natural Affinity Garden for Aspens at next year's Chelsea Flower Show in partnership with designer Camellia Taylor & support from Project Giving Back. (23 November 2022)

Publications and online

House Beautiful - 29 May 2023

The Lady - June issue

House and Garden - June Issue

Garden Design Journal - May Issue

Gardens Illustrated - May Issue

Good Housekeeping - May Issue

Global Legal Chronicle

Juno magazine - Spring 2023

Interview with Camellia Taylor talking about the power of sensory plants and The Natural Affinity Garden for Aspens in Juno magazine's spring issue. Juno is a print and digital magazine that focuses on a natural approach to parenting, sustainability, community and wellbeing. Visit Juno website

Podcasts

Grow Cook Inspire podcast

Aspens is featured on the podcast Grow Cook Inspire, where host Helen Cross is joined by Susan Sawyer from our team and Camellia Taylor who has designed The Natural Affinity Garden for Aspens. They chat about how the Chelsea garden will help raise awareness of our charity's work and the long lasting legacy the garden will have once relocated to our site following Chelsea.

Listen to Aspens on Grow Cook Inspire podcast featuring Susan Sawyer and Camellia Taylor

Roots and All podcast

Aspens' Meraud Davis and garden designer Camellia Taylor join the host to talk about The Natural Affinity Garden for Aspens and how the space and sensory planting will benefit our community.

Listen to Aspens on Roots and All podcast featuring Meraud Davis and Camellia Taylor

Horticulture Week podcast

Garden designer Camellia Taylor talks about how her association with Aspens came about and how a proposal from Project Giving Back led her to become the designer of The Natural Affinity Garden.

Listen to Horticulture Week podcast featuring Camellia Taylor

People Plants Wellbeing podcast

Camellia Taylor chats to host Ellen Mary about the wellbeing benefits of gardens and the design for The Natural Affinity Garden for Aspens.

Listen to People Plants Wellbeing podcast featuring Camellia Taylor

Press releases

Press Release - Aspens' countdown to unveil its Chelsea show garden, putting autism centre stage (24 April 2023)

Press Release - The Natural Affinity Garden for Aspens at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023 (17 November 2022)

Latest

Children's Support Worker (After School) - West Sussex

We run groups for children and young people in Crawley, East Grinstead, Felpham, Middleton and Worthing. Our groups are fun, friendly, safe places where all our young people can spend time together and enjoy each other’s company.
Relief Children's Support Worker (West Sussex)

Empowering children and young people aged between 8-18 (or up to 25 with an EHCP)with a range of disabilities, those on the autism spectrum, and/or those with complex needs to nurture a sense of value and self-worth.
Donations Supervisor - Pembury

As part of the Retail Team and working directly with our eCommerce Manager you will help Aspens grow donations to our charity shops and ensure we can quickly and efficiently sort our donations, identify donations that will earn Aspens much needed extra funds and ensure they are quickly sorted and available for shoppers to buy!
Retail Operations Manager

We want someone to bring their energy and expertise to complete our vision, working closely with the Director of Business Development and Income Generation as well as others across Aspens to take us to a place where our Retail and Hospitality business generate significant funds for the charity.

Volunteer Opportunities - Gardening Pembury

Aspens is looking for gardening volunteers to maintain our beautiful grounds and look after our prize-winning Natural Affinity Garden from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Help the Aspens Community to Engage more with Nature

Support us to build on the legacy kick-started with our RHS Chelsea Garden through our Natural Affinity Community Project.
The Plants
The Natural Affinity Garden for Aspens at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Find out more about our silver-gilt medal winning garden that was exhibited at RHS Chelsea and will soon be rebuilt at our site for our whole community to enjoy.
Garden Designer - Camellia Taylor
Chelsea Flower Show

Bluebell Cafe, Pembury

Come and visit Aspens' Bluebell Cafe near Pembury Village, just outside Tunbridge Wells in Kent. Our Cafe is open Monday-Friday 10am-4pm and serves hot drinks, meals and snacks. Our site also has a woodland walk, an animal farm and a children's playground.
West Sussex children and young people's service

Aspens offers children and young people with autism and related conditions access to a range of support and activities for young people aged 8-18 years living in West Sussex.
About us

A summary of Aspens, including the people the charity supports, the services provided and the areas covered. Aspens' services include those for Children and Young People, Adults and Family and Specialist Support and the charity operates in Kent, Bexley, Surrey East Sussex and West Sussex, with additional online support services available in Hampshire/Isle of Wight, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
Family support

Learn about the Family Support services Aspens offers to family members of people with autism, learning disabilities or associated needs. Aspens welcomes all family members: parents, siblings, grandparents or friends.
Contact us

How to contact Aspens and the locations of our central offices in Pembury, Tunbridge Wells; Battle and Littlehampton.
Roebuck enterprises

Aspens' Roebuck Enterprises Centre in Hastings, East Sussex, offers a variety of creative workshops for development and enjoyment, such as drama, baking and crafts, for adults with autism, associated needs and learning disabilities.
Specialist support

Information on Aspens' specialist support service, which uses a positive behaviour support approach, how to access the services and information on the specialist support team.
Pembury residences

Read about our residences at Pembury, near Tunbridge Wells in Kent.
About our adult services

Aspens offers a wide range of services for adults, including residential care, supported living, day opportunities and community outreach.
About our children's services

An overview of the services Aspens offers for children and young people on the autism spectrum and with learning disabilities and associated needs, and their families.

Children and Young People’s Senior Support Worker (Group Lead)

Work with young people and children aged 8-18 years with Special Education Needs and Disabilities to help develop individual skills and confidence in all aspects of daily life, including building positive relationships, activities, leisure and social skills. Read more