We’re delighted to share some wonderful news.The Alnwick Garden Trust has been championed by our wonderful Corporate Partner, Lycetts and selected as one of 18 charities across the UK and Ireland to receive Partnership Funding from the Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards.

This generous support comes from a £400,000 funding pot designed to help charities that are driving change in their communities. The programme champions organisations working in education and skills, heritage, arts and culture, and environmental sustainability, causes that sit right at the heart of what we do here at The Alnwick Garden. The Movement for Good Awards Partnership Funding provides charities with flexible funding that can be used over three years for both capital and operational costs, helping organisations grow, innovate, and deliver meaningful impact. After an initial expression of interest stage, 50 charities were invited to submit full applications. The final recipients were chosen based on impact and effectiveness, sustainability, innovation, and care and compassion. We are delighted that The Alnwick Garden was among those selected to receive this incredible support.

This incredible donation will help The Alnwick Garden Trust continue our mission to use nature, and community to inspire and connect people of all ages. Specifically, the funding will support the Roots and Shoots programmes, initiatives that help people develop skills, confidence, to age well and feel a sense of purpose through horticulture and environmental learning.

Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive of Benefact Group, said:
“Benefact Group is owned by a charity, and giving back is at the heart of everything we do, all our available profits go to good causes. Our mission is simple: the more we grow, the more we can give. We understand the importance of longer-term funding for charities, especially when trying to bring ambitious new ideas to life and get larger transformative projects off the ground, so we are delighted to be able to announce another series of transformational grants through our Partnership Funding. Through these partnership grants, we are actively championing innovation, giving charities the backing they need to propel their plans forward and turn creative ideas into practical solutions that benefit society. I can’t wait to see how these projects develop.”

Movement for Good is funded by EIO plc, part of the Benefact Group, a family of specialist financial services businesses that has donated over £200 million to charitable causes so far. We’re proud to be part of this year’s group of funded charities, and we’re excited to continue our journey of making The Alnwick Garden a place where people, nature, and community can flourish together.

Our community gardening programme which creates opportunities for young people with additional needs is taking part in its most ambitious project yet, thanks to a new collaboration with national partnership housing specialist Lovell.

The Alnwick Garden’s Young Gardeners have been given the chance to design and create their first commercial garden, which is at the show home of the new Edward’s Birch development being built by Lovell in Morpeth.

The garden can be viewed by prospective buyers visiting the development and has been designed to champion sustainability. It features rainwater harvesting, wildlife-friendly ponds, and a vegetable patch, elements chosen to inspire people to recreate these nature-positive ideas in their own gardens.

The Young Gardeners programme was established over 15 years ago and educates young people on growing and caring for their own plants as well as helping them form strong friendships.

Lisa Winter, Wellbeing Programme Officer at The Alnwick Garden, said: “Our Young Gardeners programme is so much more than an educational initiative. It empowers young people with disabilities to grow in confidence, learn new skills, and connect with one another in a supportive environment. This collaboration with Lovell is incredibly special, as it allows our gardeners to take their ideas beyond the walls of The Alnwick Garden and create a sustainable space that can inspire future residents at Edward’s Birch. We hope it encourages people to think differently about their own gardens and embrace more nature-friendly approaches.”

Working alongside landscape gardeners from Lovell, construction of the garden will begin later this month, with an official opening planned for November 2025.

Ashleigh Tate, Marketing and Social Impact Manager at Lovell, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with The Alnwick Garden on this inspiring project. Supporting the Young Gardeners in designing their first commercial garden has been a privilege, and reflects the importance we place on developing skills and employability among communities where we work. We have been blown away by the young people’s creativity and enthusiasm.

“At Lovell, we are committed to building communities that thrive, and sustainability is also a key part of that. With its rainwater collection system, wildlife-friendly ponds, and vegetable patch, the young gardeners’ design is a fantastic example of how small changes can make a big difference.

“We are proud to help bring their vision to life and look forward to seeing the space taking shape and being enjoyed by prospective buyers at Edward’s Birch.”

The partnership with Lovell has sparked huge excitement amongst the Young Gardeners. Arran Burn, 17, who has been attending the sessions for over 15 years said: “I want to say thank you to Lovell for the opportunity to design our own garden. I can’t wait to see our ideas come to life, and hope to create a special, relaxing place for people to visit.”