UK: Tayshan Hayden-Smith on uplifting communities – one garden at a time
After the tragedy of Grenfell, former pro footballer Tayshan Hayden-Smith began a crusade to reclaim space for nature in urban centres
By Torri Mundell
Country Living
19 December 2024
Excerpt:
In fact it was the Grenfell tragedy in 2017, when Tayshan was only 19, that catalysed his passion for gardening as a form of social activism. He had grown up moments from the tower and after the fire, he found himself channelling his devastation into tidying a derelict patch of land near the burnt-out building. Transforming this space with others “emerged out of pure emotion and feeling,” he remembers. “The litter-picking evolved into planting a garden. There was no plan. We just did what felt right. It was a healing process and the space became a local sanctuary.”
He had no formal gardening training to speak of, although his mum had instilled in him a great respect for nature. “She taught me that you don’t need a garden to experience or learn from it. It wasn’t about visits to the countryside – it was appreciating the sunset, listening to birdsong, noticing the texture of bark on trees.”
After Grenfell, Tayshan realised that his neighbourhood and his life – formerly preoccupied with football training and matches – had changed forever. Gardening gave him new purpose, the Grenfell Garden of Peace began to thrive under his care and his reputation as a “guerrilla gardener” spread. Then and now, his philosophy taps into everything his mother taught him.
The patch of land he helped transform in 2017 also sowed the seeds for founding Grow to Know. Today, creating outdoor sanctuaries for communities, planting for a greener future and social activism are part of the non-profit’s mission. “We want to move beyond the bubble of the garden design world which can be very close-knit and exclusive,” says Tayshan. “There’s often a big disconnect between the people brought in from outside to design these spaces and the people who actually experience them.”
Read the complete article here.
Source: https://cityfarmer.info/uk-tayshan-hayden-smith-on-uplifting-communities-one-garden-at-a-time/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Online: | |
| Visits: | 1,666,166,920 |
| Stories: | 8,322,355 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
