When Emily moved into her home seven years ago, the garden was empty. “When I first arrived, the garden was a complete blank canvas, there was nothing there at all,” she says.
Over time, she has shaped the space into what she now calls her happy place. “I’ve slowly created and added to it, and now it’s truly my happy place,” she explains, a garden full of colour, creativity and personality, where she imaginatively upcycles and reuses to create a unique outdoor space.
Emily has worked in the recycling industry for around 15 years, and through that work she built a strong connection with Community Hospice.
“I was involved with Community Hospice, collecting items that couldn’t be sold in the charity shops and taking them back to the warehouse,” she says. “That experience gave me a real passion for recycling and reusing, which has become a big part of my garden.”
“A lot of my garden is made from recycled or upcycled materials,”
Much of Emily's garden has been made from recycled or upcycled materials. Charity shop finds have been given a second life, showing that you don’t need a big budget to create something special.
One of the standout features is her mosaic work. “I’ve taken on lots of creative projects, including a living wall made from smashed china collected from the Greenwich and Bexley shops,” she says. It’s colourful, unexpected and entirely handmade.
And then there’s Sebastian. “I’ve also made a mannequin called Sebastian… he’s entirely made from smashed china, and I created him myself,” Emily says. He’ll be ready and waiting to meet visitors during the Open Gardens Festival weekend.
But Emily’s garden isn’t just about how it looks.
“For me, the garden isn’t just about how it looks,” she says. “Over the years I’ve struggled with my mental health, and spending time in the garden has helped me through some very dark days. Weeding, creating, and making something new has been incredibly therapeutic.”
“It’s a place where I am most comfortable,”
The garden is also very much shared. “I also share my garden with lots of animals, my chickens, fish and dog are all part of it,” she says, “and they’ve played a huge role in supporting my mental health too.” Friends regularly visit, and the garden is somewhere people come together, relax and enjoy being outdoors.
Based in Bexley, Emily loves the area. “It’s a lovely area, good schools, great community,” she says. Taking part in the Open Gardens Festival felt like a natural fit. “I’ve always stayed connected with Community Hospice and follow you on social media, which is how I found out about the Open Gardens Festival,” she explains. “It felt like something I could genuinely do and contribute to.”
Supporting the charity is important to her.
“I’ve always worked with charities and really value the work they do, so supporting Community Hospice and helping to raise money felt important to me,”
Emily's garden is a peaceful, wildlife‑filled space with plenty to explore. “There’s a real sense of calm in the garden,” she says.
I have three ponds, woodland at the back of the garden, and the birds are always chirping.”
It’s the kind of place where people naturally slow down, look around and take it all in.
“I hope people feel inspired and at peace when they visit,” she says. “It’s a place where people can slow down, take it all in, and enjoy being surrounded by nature.” She also wants visitors to see what’s possible when you reuse, recycle and get creative, and feel encouraged to try something new in their own space, however big or small.
Emily’s garden is one of a growing number opening across Bexley as part of the Open Gardens Festival.
Open Gardens Festival is a community-led event that runs across two weekends in June. This festival happens every year. If you'd like to find out more or take part in the festival, please email events@gbch.org.uk.
