Award-Winning ‘Wild and Free’ Garden Finds New Home Supporting Autistic Young People in Southport

A Gold award-winning show garden designed by J.Barnett Gardens for Fletchers Group as part of the 2024 Southport Flower Show has found a new lease of life with We Grow Co, Autism Initiatives social enterprise supporting young autistic people through nature-based work experiences.

The accessible garden, titled ‘Wild and Free’, was originally commissioned by Fletchers to reflect its commitment to health, recovery, and inclusive design — themes inspired by the serious injury and clinical negligence clients the firm supports across the North West.

The design was brought to life by Southport business J. Barnett Gardens in association with landscape experts A1 Gardening and local bricklaying expert Ella Law and included raised beds, sensory features, and wheelchair-friendly paths, the garden was developed as a safe, sociable, and therapeutic space for people of all ages and abilities.

After the show, the garden and its components was donated to We Grow Co, part of the Autism Initiatives Group, where it has now been reconstructed and adapted into a working herb garden — thanks in large part to the help of Ella Law and the team at J.Barnett gardens who worked with volunteers over the summer to complete the project.

The herbs are already being harvested to supply veg boxes sold to the local community, supporting both vocational skills development and community inclusion.

Daniel Curle, Social Enterprise Manager of We Grow Co, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have received the Wild and Free garden.  It’s become a living, working space where young people we support can get hands-on experience in planting, harvesting, and even selling produce — all while building confidence and gaining skills for the future.  This kind of partnership shows how meaningful design and inclusive thinking can have a lasting legacy beyond a one-off event.”

We Grow Co forms part of a wider Social Enterprise partnership, working alongside Mecycle and A Great Little Place Café — both of which offer supported work experience in areas such as bicycle mechanics, catering, and hospitality.

These initiatives are designed to help support young autistic people in education and to help address the employment gap. According to the National Autistic Society, just 32% of autistic adults are currently in employment, compared to 80% of non-disabled people.

Rosie McKnight, Fletchers Business Development Executive, added: “From the start, Wild and Free was about more than plants – it was about creating space for people to heal, connect, and thrive.  To see it continue to flourish with We Grow Co is incredibly rewarding. We’re proud to have played a small part in something that’s now giving back to the community in such a tangible and powerful way.”

Fletchers is one of the UK’s leading serious injury and clinical negligence firms, with deep roots in the North West and a longstanding commitment to community partnerships and social value.

The Southport Police Community Fund also supported the project providing funding for some of the materials and plants needed to reconstruct the garden.

If you live in Southport and would like to purchase seasonal produce grown for good and delivered direct to your door from WeGrow, then check out their website www.wegrowco.org for more information and to sign up.