Press Pack and Media Coverage

Press Pack - The Natural Affinity Garden for Aspens

Camellia Taylor, garden designer and Aspens (Reg. Charity No. 1171446) are delighted to announce that ‘The Natural Affinity Garden for Aspens’, will be first showcased at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show between 22-27 May 2023. Camellia Taylor has designed the garden for Aspens, a charity that supports people on the autism spectrum and with learning disabilities, and their families, across the South-East. Following the show, the garden will be relocated to the charity’s Kent site as a permanent feature, where it will provide a therapeutic haven to people the charity supports and its community. The garden has been funded by Project Giving Back.

Download the Press Pack here, which includes Press Release, case studies, plant list and media opportunities at the Show during the week.

Press coverage for The Natural Affinity Garden for Aspens to date

The Natural Affinity Garden on 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

Support Worker - Robertsbridge

We are passionate about enabling our staff to empower those we support. Whatever your age or background, we know you have the ability to care. Let Aspens help you realise your potential to make someone's day, everyday!
AuSome Advent at Aspens!

A very special festive guest is returning this advent across our social media! Keep an eye out on our Facebook and Instagram pages this advent for some tips and advice from our own AuSome Elf on the Shelf for those on the autism spectrum and their loved ones to help navigate the festive season.
Support Worker - Bognor Regis

Your role as a support worker will be vital in helping those that we support to feel empowered to live as independently as possible. You will play a big role in supporting daily activities which could include: baking, arts and crafts, swimming and bowling.
Join our Forest School

Our Forest School sessions based at Aspens’ beautiful woodland, are open to young people with a diagnosis of autism, who live in East Sussex. Come and join the fun, immerse yourself in nature, meet new friends and take part in fun, hands-on activities.

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 to young people aged 8-18 years* (18-25 with an EHCP) living in West Sussex.
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.
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.
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.
Pembury residences

Read about our residences at Pembury, near Tunbridge Wells in Kent.
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.
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 their families.

Support Worker - Bognor Regis

Your role as a support worker will be vital in helping those that we support to feel empowered to live as independently as possible. You will play a big role in supporting daily activities which could include: baking, arts and crafts, swimming and bowling. Read more