Prisoner garden wins Silver at Chelsea

A garden created by prisoners and homeless people has won silver award at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show.

Called The Key, the garden is a collaboration between the Eden Project, the Homes and Communities Agency, Communities and Local Government, Homeless Link and London Employer Accord.

The garden has been created by 200 volunteers from across the country, most of whom are currently using homelessness services or are serving prisoners. It aims to demonstrate what is possible if people are given the right opportunities, challenge some of the stereotypes associated with disadvantaged people and increase the skills and employability of the volunteers involved.

St Giles Trust has been working with 15 volunteers on the project to help them move into paid employment after the project has finished. 10 of these 15 have been enrolled onto training and employability courses run by St Giles Trust.

Chief Executive Rob Owen said: "It's been a pleasure and priviledge to be involved with Chelsea Flower Show and I would like to thank all the different partners who have made this happen. I know it has increased the confidence of the people who have volunteered to create The Key and I'm sure St Giles can help some of them continue their journey to full resettlement."