This blog is dedicated to sharing the work of inspiring people in the gardening world. This week the focus is on Becky Williams.

Amateur Essex gardener Becky Williams is creating a Showcase Garden at BBC Gardener’s World Live this month, highlighting the work of local charity Support 4 Sight. The charity provides support for the visually impaired community in the region, including her father, who was registered blind.

 

Becky’s dream of creating the garden is rooted in her own family experience. Having grown up with a visually impaired father she understands first-hand how isolating gardening spaces can sometimes feel, and how powerful an inclusive design can be.

The idea for the garden was inspired by her father David’s own experiences. He was extremely excited to follow Becky’s journey to the show. However, David died earlier this year after a life-long battle with health complications related to Type 1 Diabetes.

Devastated, Becky decided to continue with the project and create the garden in her father’s honour and for the whole visually impaired community.

 

The garden entitled “Sensed, Not Seen,” is designed to be experienced beyond sight, celebrating the other senses of smell, touch, sound and taste. The garden highlights how thoughtful garden design can make nature and green space accessible to everyone. 

 

Becky is hoping the 90,000 visitors to the show will take a moment to pause, imagine, and step into the world of someone living with visual impairment. The design includes vibrant flowers bursting with contrasting colours while water features and wind chimes create a soothing soundscape. 

Every element has been carefully designed so that blind and visually impaired visitors can connect deeply with nature.

Becky has been overwhelmed with the incredible support she has received from her family, friends and local businesses, who raised £10,000 to help make this garden possible.

As an amateur gardener, stepping into one of the UK’s flagship horticultural shows, Becky says she feels extremely lucky to have the support and advice of award-winning Birmingham landscaper Ned Harvey. Ned is undertaking all the hard landscaping elements of the garden build.

Becky says, “This garden is about starting conversations about visual impairment and showing that gardens are for everyone. I want people to step into this space and experience nature differently – to realise how a garden can be felt, heard and shared.”

 

“I was so excited that dad was going to come to Gardener’s World Live and be able to experience this special sensory space. It is extremely hard to now know he will not be there with me in person at the show. But I know he was proud that I was taking on this enormous challenge and delighted that I am highlighting the work of this amazing local charity which has supported him, our family and so many other blind and visually impaired people in the region.”

 

Becky added, “This project would not have been possible without kindness and support of so many, so I’d like to say a massive thank you to every single person who donated and has offered help. I just hope I can repay their kindness through this special garden, when it comes to life in June.”

You can follow Rebecca’s Gardener’s World Live Journey on Instagram,@itsbeckysgarden.