The not-for-profit, Grow to Know was born following the devastating Grenfell Tower fire, where 72 residents of the West London tower block lost their lives in 2017. The collective works to encourage people, especially children, and those with limited access to green spaces, to cultivate a relationship with the natural world through horticulture.
Since its inception, the mission of Grow to Know was to make green space accessible and relevant to all, especially in underserved communities. Following the Grenfell Tower tragedy, and in the wake of the pandemic, the organisation engaged with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) for the purpose of “breaking down the barriers between one of the UK’s most prestigious horticultural showcases and one of London’s most overlooked communities”. In 2022 and 2023, the organisation created show gardens at the RHS Chelsea Show highlighting social and environmental injustices and inequalities in terms of access to green space. In 2023, the founder of Grow to Know, Tayshan Hayden-Smith became an RHS Ambassador for young people and community gardening.
However, in a recent statement, the founder, Tayshan Hayden-Smith announced a significant shift in the relations with the RHS, in that he has decided to step down from his RHS Ambassador role. According to Hayden-Smith, the decision “follows a lack of clear commitment, and tangible support from the RHS in building a meaningful bridge between the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and the local community of North Kensington”. This say that organisation is a key part of their mission and for Hayden-Smith a “central focus” for his role as Ambassador of Community and Young People.
According to the organisation, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show remains inaccessible for many, including the local and underrepresented communities, a barrier Grow to Know are committed to breaking by making green spaces more accessible.
“Whilst there have been positive moments to reflect on during my time as an RHS Ambassador, the decision to step down reflects a deeper divergence in priorities – culturally, and systemically. Grow to Know was born out of those very institutional differences, and rather than continuing to explain or justify the diverse and adverse lived experiences that shape our work, we are choosing to roll up our sleeves and take bold, brave action—grounded in the hope of bettering both people and planet. Working with a cohort of organisations embedded within the community on our upcoming inaugural garden marks the next step in Grow to Know’s commitment to creating lasting, purposefully designed green spaces. These gardens will be rooted in place and co-designed by those who live there. This first project also signals the beginning of a long-term vision: to build a new community garden every year, launched each May, creating a growing legacy of spaces that evolve with—and belong to—the people of North Kensington and wider London communities.
“Grow to Know is a vessel for meaningful change – with this, we welcome allies, funders, and the wider public to stand and journey alongside us in closing the green gap – once and for all,” explained Tayshan Hayden-Smith, Founder of Grow to Know.
North Kensington community garden
“On par with RHS Chelsea Flower Show standards, but rooted in purpose, place, and long-term impact”, the inaugural garden will be located at Lancaster Youth Hub in North Kensington. The garden will be created in collaboration with the community organisations, Fit For Life Youth, Young K&C, and London Sports Trust. This, says the organisation marks the beginning of an ongoing commitment to creating lasting, community-led green spaces, “setting a powerful precedent for what inclusive, purposeful greening can look like in urban areas”.
The organisation said that it hopes that fundraising for and delivering this garden will provide a space that nurtures the wellbeing, creativity, and potential of local young people, and highlight the importance of equitable resource distribution across the borough.
