Children’s Society Garden explores teenage wellbeing crisis
The Children’s Society, a UK charity dedicated to improving the lives and wellbeing of teenagers, will unveil ‘The Children’s Society Garden’ at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show (19–23 May 2026). Designed by internationally renowned landscape architect Patrick Clarke, the nurturing show garden will highlight the UK’s growing teenage wellbeing crisis.
Co-sponsored by Project Giving Back, the garden responds to what the charity describes as a rising “happiness recession” among young people. It aims to create a space of hope, safety and connection where teenagers can pause, reflect and reconnect, supporting early intervention before challenges escalate.
Over the past 10 months, Patrick Clarke has worked closely with The Children’s Society and a group of ‘Young Creative Partners’ to co-design the garden. Through workshops and digital sessions, young people have helped shape key elements including stained-glass panels, seating, furniture and planting design.
Inspired by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, the design celebrates imperfection and the reuse of discarded materials. Reclaimed elements are combined with resilient planting to create a calm, eco-conscious environment that encourages emotional wellbeing and resilience.
The garden offers sheltered, urban-style spaces designed for reflection, conversation and quiet support. Recycled materials, water features and accessible pathways create a therapeutic setting where young people can share experiences and access support when needed.
After RHS Chelsea, the garden will be relocated to a Youth Support Centre in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, becoming the charity’s first dedicated outdoor wellbeing space for young people and a lasting legacy for the project.
Garden Features
Interwoven Wabi-Sabi Concept
The design is inspired by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection and the re-crafting of discarded materials. This concept runs throughout the garden, where forgotten materials are reimagined with resilient planting to create a calm, restorative environment.
The approach brings tranquillity and safety to the space, supporting young people’s mental health and wellbeing. It reflects The Children’s Society’s aim to build resilience and help young people navigate anxiety and make positive choices for their future.
A Nurturing and Empowering Space for Young People
The garden is designed as a sanctuary with distinct areas for reflection, connection and growth. Seating made from fallen trees, handcrafted by bespoke joiner Olly Hill, will be surrounded by calming water features created by Water Artisans.
These spaces encourage privacy, storytelling, group connection and self-discovery, supporting resilience, growth and confidence.
Resilient Plant Palettes
The planting design features resilient multi-stem trees and layered communities of plants across shade and moisture-rich zones, in tones of spring greens, buttery yellows, rich coppers and deep purples.
Each plant is given space to thrive seasonally, symbolising hope, renewal and the communities the garden supports.
- Iris ‘Kent Pride’ and Iris ‘Butter and Sugar’ symbolise balance and harmony through contrasting tones
- Cymbalaria muralis represents resilience, thriving in cracks and walls where little else grows
- Asplenium trichomanes reflects quiet strength and year-round stability
- Dryopteris erythrosora embodies transformation through seasonal colour change
- Gillenia trifoliata represents hidden beauty and individual potential
Recycled & Reclaimed Design and Water Features
The garden uses innovative sustainable materials throughout.
A protective overhead canopy, crafted from recycled steel, symbolises teenage resilience. It contains 28 fused glass panels co-designed with The Children’s Society’s Young Creative Partners, casting coloured light and shadow to create a cocoon-like space of safety and creativity.
A 3-metre-high boundary wall uses recycled handmade glazed terracotta tiles in a large mosaic, paired with patinated corrugated steel to add rhythm and energy to the planting.
Accessible pathways and retaining walls are formed from gravel and stone offcuts, demonstrating how reclaimed materials can create beautiful, sustainable urban landscapes.
Over 32 metres of recycled steel rills form a calming water system at ground level, mirroring the overhead structure and creating continuous movement and reflection.
Relocation and Legacy
After the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the garden will be relocated to The Children’s Society’s Youth Support Centre in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.
It will become a permanent outdoor wellbeing space where young people can access trained practitioners, take part in group sessions, and receive immediate support without waiting times.
Specialists help young people build coping skills, access resources and develop resilience, with referrals to expert partners where needed.
Alongside this, The Children’s Society is expanding its national ‘Time for Young People’ wellbeing hubs for ages 10–25, providing accessible emotional support across the UK.
Find out more at: https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/information/young-people/well-being/services/time