The Battersea-based charity Thrive are set to move into an exciting new centre this month.

The organisation offer gardening sessions to more than 200 disabled Londoners across their three sites in Battersea Park.

Wandsworth Times:

The green-fingered charity’s new centre incorporates offices, classrooms, and an adaptable training room.

Wandsworth Times:

All spaces open out into an orangery that spans the front of the building.

The structure curves around a huge London Plane tree which dominates the site.

In bad weather two garage doors can be pulled down to protect the orangery, while it’s glass walls mean light isn’t cut off.

Thrive wanted to make the building as environmentally as possible.

Wandsworth Times:

Isla Ferns stands next to a display in the new centre 

The large tree meant the centre couldn’t run on solar power, so an air source heat pump is used to keep them place warm instead.

Rainwater collected from the roof is used to water plants.

Kathryn Rossiter, Thrive’s Chief Executive, said: "It is fantastic for our gardeners and the extra space will allow us to help more people.

"It is a flagship building for us on East Carriage Drive which is already attracting the interest of many passers-by.

"We plan to increase the number and variety of plants and herbs we can use and sell to members of the public."


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