TCS Gets Green Fingered With Local Schools

Town Centre Securities (TCS) has partnered with local Leeds schools in conjunction with Child Friendly Leeds and local Yorkshire-based community interest company, Lemon Balm, in its drive to promote wellbeing and support climate resilience through horticultural therapy.

The latest initiative involves pupils between the ages 6-10 years learning about seeds and plants alongside the fantastic work of St Gemma’s Hospice, before growing plants to be planted within the hospice grounds.

Child Friendly Leeds within Leeds City Council were responsible for selecting and coordinating with 3 local schools who were responsible for caring for the seeds until they were large enough to plant out. All the planting was climate friendly using biodegradable pots, peat free compost and edible or biodiversity plants.

Once transferred from the schools, St Gemma’s gardening team then prepared the ground where the plants were showcased on display.

Charlotte-Daisy Leeming, TCS head of ESG who arranged the initiative said: “We are delighted to have been able to implement such an important and creative initiative for one of our core charities, St Gemma’s Hospice. The recent ‘growing’ workshops have enabled local school children to not only learn about horticulture, but also about the hospice and the important work it does.

“We are confident these plants will make a big difference to the stunning gardens within the hospice grounds and hope the fledgling gardeners of the future appreciate the important gifts they have nurtured from seed.”

Lisa Aldred, senior corporate fundraiser at St Gemma’s Hospice, said: “We would like to thank Town Centre Securities for delivering this extremely worthwhile project for St Gemma’s Hospice.

“Watching the children learn about hospice care, how the gardens provide a sense of wellbeing and peace for the patients, and the importance of plants, nature and nurturing seeds has been inspiring.

“The fantastic gardening team at the hospice have created a small kitchen-garden and we are hoping to grow more of our own produce in the future that will be used to create meals for patients, their families and our team. The children’s plants will most definitely contribute to filling the kitchen gardens nicely.”

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