Prince Harry’s charity Sentebale confirms ‘Hope In Vulnerability’ garden for 2015 RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Kate Silversin Industry News

• 'Hope In Vulnerability' garden name reflects Sentebale's work providing healthcare and education to Lesotho's victims of HIV

• 2014 People's Choice Award winner Matt Keightley reveals further detail on the garden design

Sentebale illustration 1 by Matt Keightley
Sentebale, the charity founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, has today confirmed its RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden will be named 'Hope In Vulnerability'.

Sponsored by the David Brownlow Charitable Foundation and designed by Matt Keightley of Rosebank Landscaping, the 'Hope In Vulnerability' garden has been created to raise awareness of Sentebale's work providing healthcare and education to Lesotho's most vulnerable children, many of whom are victims of extreme poverty and Lesotho's HIV/AIDs epidemic and will be showcased on the Main Avenue at the world-famous show in May.

Lesotho has the world's second highest HIV infection rate. One in three children are orphans and there are over 40,000 adolescents living with HIV. Stigma and discrimination remains the biggest barrier to children and young people accessing care and medication.

Cathy Ferrier, Chief Executive of Sentebale, said: "We are delighted to confirm Sentebale's 'Hope In Vulnerability' garden for the 2015 RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

"The garden design has been inspired by the Mamohato Children's Centre, due to open later this year in Lesotho, which will enable Sentebale to support many more vulnerable children, and will house residential week-long camps providing much needed emotional and psychological support to children coming to terms with living with HIV."

The Prince's Foundation for Building Community assisted in the design of the Mamohato Children's Centre by working with a local architect to create a sustainable, beautiful and locally-inspired centre that will support to some of Lesotho's most vulnerable children.

The Prince's Foundation utilised their expertise in sustainable development to ensure the design of the centre met the needs of the young residents, whilst creating a pleasant environment that celebrates the country's rich culture and natural surroundings.

The centre's layout reflects that of a village, and facilities will include accommodation cabins, activity rooms, various camp facilities and sporting pitches.

The Sentebale 'Hope in Vulnerability' garden at Chelsea 2015 will represent the experience children living with HIV will go through when they attend Sentebale's camp at the new Mamohato centre providing a safe place for them to access psychosocial support needed to lead healthy lives.

Matt Keightley, head designer of Maidenhead landscaping firm Rosebank and winner of the 2014 People's Choice Award with his 'Hope on the Horizon' garden, has today revealed further detail on the build of the Sentebale garden.

Matt will use traditional and sustainable construction techniques on the garden which are evident in Lesotho, adding to the authenticity of the Southern African styled space. Coppiced, peeled sweet chestnut will form beautiful hurdle fencing nestled in amongst the planting.

A complex yet balanced planting scheme will celebrate the vibrant colour combinations and fascinating textures found in Lesotho. Ribbons of colour will dance through the beds linking hard and soft landscaping elements. Matt is also attempting to germinate a native Lesotho Poppy, 'Papaver Aculeatum', to display at Chelsea for the first time.

30-year-old Keightley said, "We had a hugely inspiring trip to Lesotho last year which further informed me about the fantastic fundraising and charity work Sentebale does and it has directly influenced my approach to the design of the garden.

"Lesotho, known as the forgotten kingdom, will be brought to life through the 'Hope In Vulnerability' garden with a design that evokes the native landscape and celebrates the work of Sentebale.

"The Mamohato Children's Centre will make an incredible difference, giving Sentebale the capacity to care for four times as many vulnerable children as they currently do. I hope to give the visitors at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show a taste of the amazing atmosphere I witnessed at some of the existing centres in Lesotho."

For more information on The Prince's Foundation for the Building Community please visit: www.princes-foundation.org

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