Gardening Against the Odds: Giving Hope to Hundreds of Disadvantaged Youth

GARDENER: Linda Phillips LOCATION: Kennington. London SE11 NOMINATED BY: Catey Hillier It’s impossible to imagine that where giant echiums now obscure the high-rises of the Vauxhall skyline, and roses tumble over the green roofed, solar-powered... More

GARDENER: Linda Phillips LOCATION: Kennington. London SE11 NOMINATED BY: Catey Hillier It’s impossible to imagine that where giant echiums now obscure the high-rises of the Vauxhall skyline, and roses tumble over the green roofed, solar-powered eco-training centre, this north Lambeth urban oasis was once a scene from a war zone: its soil polluted with cadmium and lead, the site littered with asbestos lined prefabs, having been fly-tipped for decades. Sheer persistence and a knack for finding beauty in everything has kept Kew-trained Linda Phillips occupied for some 29 years, transforming this derelict site to an inspirational horticultural training project for young people at Roots and Shoots in SE11. Her vision and determination has made this former munitions factory and barrage balloon site bloom in more ways than one. The project has given hope to hundreds of disadvantaged young people from south London. A garden tended by those with a wide range of needs: abuse, trauma, mental Less