Samaritans’ Listening Garden brings the power of listening to RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023.
Award-winning garden designer and Samaritans volunteer Darren Hawkes is bringing Samaritans’ Listening Garden to the world-famous garden show this year to help us celebrate 70 years of supporting people struggling to cope.
The garden will depict that while the path to hope can seem full of obstacles, there is support out there and it is always possible for things to change.
The inspiration behind the garden
Darren is a Samaritans listening volunteer and the garden was inspired by the stories of people who found the courage to reach out to Samaritans in their darkest times.
Paul called Samaritans when he was going through a difficult time. Earlier this year, he visited Darren's workshop in Cornwall to see the design taking shape, then he was able to experience the finished garden at RHS Chelsea.
Watch Darren and Paul talk about what Samaritans' Listening Garden means to them.
Help us grow seeds of hope
This year marks 70 years since Samaritans took the first call to what would become Samaritans’ helpline. Samaritans’ Listening Garden shares our message that listening saves lives and promotes our vision that fewer people die by suicide.
Today, Samaritans volunteers answer a call for help every 10 seconds by phone, email, online chat, letter or in person. Help us make sure every call for help is answered.
For media, here's the Samaritans' Listening Garden press pack.
If you'd like any more information or for other media enquiries please drop a line to [email protected].