A nursery school in central London has created a Garden of Hope, bringing solace and joy to children who have lost loved ones during lockdown. Nicole Weinstein reports
Rowlands Hill's Garden of Hope
Rowlands Hill's Garden of Hope

Gardening, and interacting with nature, play a key role at Rowlands Hill Nursery School and Children’s Centre, which is located in a deprived part of Haringey, north London.

During lockdown in March 2020, one set of twins, who were able to see the nursery garden from their high-rise flat, sadly lost a grandparent. In response, practitioners set about creating a fairy garden, named the Garden of Hope, which became their solace upon their return after lockdown.

Gay Stout, a key worker with a qualification and background in horticulture, says, ‘Many of our children didn’t have access to outdoor space, and during the pandemic, some children were seeking out quiet, reflective areas where they could make sense of the changing world.

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