A report launched by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), has found that the lives and livelihoods of individuals up and down the country have been radically transformed, thanks to the community gardening campaign RHS Britain in Bloom, supported by Anglian Home Improvements.

The report, entitled Britain in Bloom: transforming local communities, looks at how participating in Britain in Bloom has turned around the fortunes of places such as Nottingham, Brightlingsea and Manchester. Based on the results of 231 community gardening groups which responded to an RHS survey, and an in-depth look at 11 neighbourhoods, towns and cities across the UK, the report identifies four impacts of the campaign: the transformational, economic, social and environmental.

Sue Biggs, Director General of the RHS, said, ‘The report proves that gardening is not only a great social leveller but also the cohesive glue that binds and builds neighbourhoods, reducing crime, transforming lives and enabling commerce to prosper. For the millions of volunteers through Britain in Bloom who annually green up and clean up where they live, and have lots of fun while they're at it, this research highlights the incredibly positive impact they have on their communities and how important the national campaign is to the neighbourhoods that take part.’

Transformational Impact

- 50% of Bloom groups listed transformation of disused space as a benefit of participation, citing that this space was previously an eyesore and a hub for anti-social behaviour which often created a fear of crime among residents.

- Groups listed a reduction in crime, an increase in community spirit, feel for a place and sense of pride as benefits of participating in Britain in Bloom.

Environmental Impact

Bloom groups look after an average of 15 acres of green space each. 

- Nearly 70% of groups undertake litter picks, 33% care for street furniture and 25% remove graffiti.

- An estimated 115,000 trees, 352,000 shrubs and 21.6 million plants and bulbs are planted by Bloom groups annually

Social Impact

- 90% of Bloom groups stated the main benefit of participating in the campaign was the ‘creation and development’ of communities.

- More than 50% of Bloom groups saw a reduction in crime and antisocial behaviour since participating in Britain in Bloom.

- Many groups grow fruit and vegetables, accompanied by cooking classes, meaning that more residents have access to healthy food and exercise in the form of gardening all year round.

Economic Impact

- On average survey respondents (both Bloom and IYN groups) fundraised £6,044 each to carry out their work, and saved local authorities around £6 million a year.

- One local authority estimated that from an investment of £67,000 towards their community’s Britain in Bloom campaign they got back as much as £2.6 million from the work undertaken by volunteers. The £2.6 million is calculated due to the work achieved, transformation to the community and the hours of work volunteers gave.

- Businesses reported seeing the direct impact of Britain in Bloom on their profits, thanks to cleaner streets and less graffiti, which attracts more customers.

- Upwards of 4.4 million volunteer hours are given each year through Britain in Bloom to improve local surroundings. This is the equivalent of £155 million worth of labour at the National Minimum Wage.

Martin Troughton, Marketing Director, Anglian Home Improvements, said, ‘Having been involved with the campaign for the past twelve months, we have been able to see first hand how people and places have been transformed by Britain in Bloom. It is a tool which brings real change, something that is measurable, sustainable and almost always awe inspiring.’

Each year over two thousand communities take part in Britain in Bloom. Using gardening as a tool, the campaign brings individuals together to form community action groups that make the places where they live cleaner, greener, brighter and better. Participating groups are assessed either regionally or nationally and awarded certificates of merit or medals accordingly. Each group is encouraged to demonstrate horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibility through the projects they undertake. Most Britain in Bloom groups are run by volunteers, working in partnership with local councils. 

Nottingham, the launch location for the report and site of this year’s RHS Britain in Bloom Forum, a conference for sharing best practice within the sector, forms one of the 11 case studies featured. It highlights the transformational aspect of participating in RHS Britain in Bloom.

Located in the East Midlands, Nottingham has used Britain in Bloom and its sister project, It’s Your Neighbourhood, to bring pride back into the city, following years of indifference, negative media portrayals and rising crime rates. There are now 160 It’s Your Neighbourhood groups gardening across the city, including several in the Meadows.

The Meadows lies to the south of the city, a ten minute walk from the Victorian grandeur of the train station. It is classed as an area of deprivation – one of the City Council’s priority areas. The Index of Multiple Deprivation 2010 puts parts of Bridge Ward, where the Meadows is located, in the worst 10% nationally for measures of: outdoor living environment; crime ~and disorder; children and young people (education, skills and training); health deprivation and disability, and income deprivation affecting children and older people.

Comprising old terraced houses, originally built for the workers of the Great Central Railway and a newer 1970s housing estate the Meadows is home to around 7,500 people. The Pride in the Meadows campaign was established by local people 10 years ago to bring the community together and promote a positive image of the area. There are a number of active tenants and residents associations which, over the past few years, have been instrumental in improving the environment and the community spirit. An important part of this has been a growing involvement in the Britain in Bloom campaign. Previously where areas were neglected and littered with rubbish, they have been planted with cherry tomatoes, sun flowers and courgettes, all for the locals to pick and eat. Streets are now filled with hanging baskets, colourful blooms vying against street grown vegetables and neighbours have installed benches outside their homes, so they can sit, chat and appreciate the plants.

In 2008 four local groups entered the RHS Britain in Bloom ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ awards; this year the whole area got together and achieved a Silver award in the larger Urban Community category in the East Midlands in Bloom competition, taking home the regional trophy.

Local resident Di Clausen said “The Meadows has an undeserved reputation across the city, often promoted in the media, which through our success in the Bloom awards, we are beginning to change. We are very proud of all the groups and individuals who have got involved, and we like to celebrate their success.”

Nottingham’s Bloom campaign supports the city’s successful ‘Respect for Nottingham’ campaign – pre-dating the Government’s Respect agenda – which has seen agencies working closely and effectively together to tackle antisocial behaviour including enviro-crimes such as littering, dog fouling and graffiti, as well as low-level crime and more serious crime. Latest figures reveal that between June 2003 and November 2010, reported crime in the city dropped by 50%- that is 37,000 fewer incidents a year compared with 2003. It also means that Nottingham has hit its 2012 crime reduction target two years ahead of schedule and crime levels are at their lowest for 30 years.

Today the Meadows is a bustling place, mainly thanks to the hard work and tenacity of the local residents working alongside the City Council. Their ambition and sense of pride has spurred a community into action. The planting up of hanging baskets was a natural activity to help foster community spirit. With the help of the Council and the Community Payback scheme, planters were provided and brackets attached to the walls. Visiting the terraced streets now, you see row after row of hanging baskets, planters and street benches. The neighbours talk to each other, keep an eye on each other’s properties and water the plants as they go along.

Nottingham Council estimates a cost savings of £69,400 due to the in-kind work that Bloom volunteers undertake across the city. 

As a result of participation, a feedback survey conducted by Nottingham Council found:

• 71% reported an improved environment

• 64% reported an improved community spirit

• 25% reported reduced antisocial behaviour