New Groundwork partnership helps The Green Patch community garden grow

Last year the Fothergill's team spent a day at The Green Patch in Kettering, meeting local volunteers and families, hearing their stories, and capturing on film how access to growing and green space is transforming lives.

Through the partnership, Fothergill's is donating 11,000 packets of vegetable and flower seeds to Groundwork's network of Green Community Hubs and community garden projects across the UK, including The Green Patch which is based in Kettering.

Seeds such as tomatoes, courgettes, carrots, cabbages, sunflowers and wildflowers will support more food growing and colourful planting, giving local people the chance to enjoy ‘soil-to-plate’ produce and vibrant, wildlife-friendly spaces.

Kate Williams, Chief Executive of Groundwork Northamptonshire, said: "Partnerships like this make a real difference on the ground. At The Green Patch we see every day how growing food, tending gardens and spending time outdoors help people to feel better, build skills and connect with one another. Thanks to Fothergill's support, even more local families, schools and volunteers will be able to get involved in gardening, take fresh produce home and feel proud of the beautiful spaces they help to create."

The Green Patch provides a safe, welcoming space where local residents, schools and community groups come together to grow food, learn new skills and enjoy nature.

Fothergill's donation will enable the garden to increase the variety and volume of crops grown on site, support more workshops and community growing sessions, and continue to welcome people who may otherwise struggle to access green space.

This community-led intervention is vital for the growth of people and places. A 2025 report by Natural England found that 91% of people agree that being in nature benefits their physical health, and 90% say that being in nature helps their mental wellbeing. Despite this, only 26% of adults in the most socially deprived areas of England have a green space close to home.

Graham Duxbury, Groundwork UK Chief Executive, said: "Having regular access to a community garden not only helps people feel better, but also brings communities together. Through this partnership, we can ensure more people and places can feel the benefits of being outdoors and making the areas we live in happier, greener, and more sustainable. We look forward to working with Fothergill's this year and bringing these seeds of positivity to local communities."

Michael Yates, Fothergill's Chief Executive, said: "Fothergill's Seeds is delighted to partner with Groundwork to help more people across the UK discover the health and wellbeing benefits of gardening. By donating 10,000+ packets of seeds, we hope to be able to support more of Groundwork's communities to get growing from seed. Our partnership with Groundwork is close to our hearts and central to our purpose of 'Helping Everyone Grow'. All of us at Fothergill's are looking forward to this being just the beginning and that we will be able to bring the joys of growing from seed to more Groundwork communities over the coming years."

The seed donation will contribute to the continued growth of Groundwork's Green Community Hubs – long-term community assets that make nature accessible for everyone while tackling social isolation.

The Green Patch in Kettering is a 2.5-acre community garden which plays host to school clubs, adult volunteer days, community events and a programme for children and young people. The site runs regular growing and gardening sessions through its Grow Cook Eat project, which helps families grow their own food and cook healthy meals.

To find out more about The Green Patch and Groundwork Northamptonshire's work, visit: www.groundwork.org.uk/northamptonshire/

See the new partnership film, shot at The Green Patch in Kettering, for yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rpgCQ1hDwc