Withdrawal of RHS Community Outreach Programme in Scotland

I am deeply concerned about Clare Matterson's concern decision to withdraw the Royal Horticultural Society’s Community Outreach Programme in Scotland. The programme offers valuable opportunities for individuals in Glasgow Northeast, which I have laid out - along with my disappointment over the withdrawal - in the letter below.

You are welcome to use any or all parts of it in drafting your own letter.

Ms. Clare Matterson CBE

Director General

The Royal Horticultural Society

80 Vincent Square

LONDON

SW1P 2PE

19 January 2026

Withdrawal of RHS Community Outreach Programme in Scotland

Dear Ms. Matterson,

I am writing to express my concern regarding your decision to withdraw the Royal Horticultural Society’s Community Outreach Programme in Scotland. In your own words, community gardening "brings people together, lifts spirits, improves health, and turns forgotten corners into places bursting with life" and the decision to discontinue this programme is therefore deeply disappointing.

I am aware of the meaningful work that has been carried out by your former staff in my constituency, across Glasgow and in wider areas over previous years. This is work I am keen to see continue, as I am sure you are aware of the significant benefits that gardening can provide for those involved.

These include:

• Mental health - there are social benefits of being part of meaningful groups and activities and physically connecting with nature. Taking part in community initiatives can also help foster feelings of connection and cohesion.

• Skills development - volunteering develops skills such as leadership, collaborative working, and administration, as well as practical skills such as gardening.

• Poverty reduction - encouraging growth of produce can have important financial benefits for individuals who are able to 'make, grow and gift'

The withdrawal of the programme would mean these crucial benefits will no longer be supported or developed. These are particularly important for my constituents who reside in areas with some of the highest levels of poverty in the UK.

I sincerely urge you to reconsider this decision in the light of the exceptional achievements that your former staff have made here in Glasgow Northeast and the community groups that have been suddenly left without support. Furthermore, I encourage you to reflect on both the value of the work already achieved and the long-term negative impact that the withdrawal of this service is likely to have on the local community.

Yours sincerely,

Paul Sweeney (MSP)

Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow Region

(Scottish Labour and Co-operative Party)

RHS Community Outreach Programme.pdf

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