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Our Impact

The Royal Windsor Rose & Horticultural Society aims to ignite a passion for horticulture, nature, culinary arts and traditional crafts among young people in our community.

We focus on providing support for educational activities that emphasise gardening, nature exploration, cooking and crafting. In today’s fast-paced, screen-focused environment, our mission holds greater significance than ever. We recognise the importance of providing enriching experiences that encourage young people to unplug from screens and reconnect with the beauty of the natural world.

Schools

This year, we are excited to partner with 14 local primary schools for our Flower Show competitions and show the incredible talents of our young participants. We are thrilled to collaborate with Little Muddy Boots, a local community garden and nature club that provides outdoor education and play classes. Their hands-on learning experiences support a genuine appreciation for nature and the environment.

We also support Busy Buttons, a CORE charity that promotes creative expression through craft activities for young people from diverse backgrounds and varying abilities.

Centrepoint story

In 2023, the funds raised by the Royal Windsor Rose & Horticultural Society allowed us to collaborate with Centrepoint, a charity and social landlord dedicated to ending youth homelessness. Centrepoint offers various services including accommodation, support, education and training for young individuals facing homelessness, whilst also engaging with local and national policymakers to enhance outcomes for these individuals.

In conjunction with Centre Point, the RWRHS delivered a residential horticultural course where young people had the opportunity to learn gardening skills at various specialist locations. 

Over the three days, we visited the Windsor Crown Estate and met award-winning gardener Cleve West, who shared insights on his horticultural journey and the inspiration behind the Centrepoint Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show. The young attendees participated in a tour of Windsor Great Park, learned about grass science at Wentworth Golf Club and enjoyed hands-on experiences with machinery. At Savill Gardens, they admired stunning blooms and, on a full day at Waltham Place, they gained knowledge on biodynamic farming, soil health and sustainability. A standout experience was making delicious pizzas under chef Antonio Caldesi’s guidance, using fresh ingredients from the farm – “Never had pizza that tasted so good!”

On the final day they visited Crocus Nursery, where the young people learned about climate adaptation and water re-use. They enjoyed using the potting machine for succulents, forming a production line to pot, arrange and label plants which allowed them to get their hands dirty and involved in gardening.

The young participants expressed their enjoyment of spending four days surrounded by nature explaining that they hadn’t realised just how diverse and interesting gardening could be! One residential remarked “I wish it lasted for 100 days!”

Inspiring Through Nature

The Royal Windsor Rose & Horticultural Society is proud to partner with Waltham Place, a 220-acre biodynamic and organic farm, that provides immersive outdoor learning experiences for children. Through hands-on activities, children can explore kitchen gardens, compost areas, woodlands and rare breed farm animals to gain a deeper understanding of where their food comes from and the role of biodiversity in farming. Designed to suit different learning styles, these experiences ensure that children of all abilities, including SEN students, can benefit.

Nurturing Well-Being

Spending time in nature has profound benefits, particularly for children who struggle in traditional classrooms. Waltham Place offers a sensory-rich environment, allowing students to relax, express themselves and build confidence in a way that suits them.

By learning about organic and biodynamic farming, children gain practical knowledge on food choices, sustainability and careers in outdoor industries. Schools like Chesham Grammar have even found that these visits help students apply their learning to GCSE Food Technology exams.

Outdoor Education

The Royal Windsor Rose & Horticultural Society funding helps to ensure more schools in the Windsor area can take part in these valuable experiences, removing barriers like transport costs and making outdoor education accessible to a wider range of students.

The impact of these visits is clear. One typically withdrawn student described his experience as:

“Absolutely amazing—I loved every second.”

For many, a day at Waltham Place is far more than a school trip—it’s a transformative experience that nurtures curiosity, confidence, and a lasting connection to nature.

Niki McCann – Waltham Place