Britain in Bloom – a national gardening campaign promoted by the Royal Horticultural Society – has had a range of positive impacts on local communities.
The organisation carried out a report that identified the economic, environmental, social and transformational impacts of the scheme.
Many participating groups – 90 per cent – reported the main impact was the creation and development of communities taking part in the activity.
Economically, an average of £6,044 was raised by groups to fund their projects of picking up garden tools and maintaining local land.
Around £2.6 million was estimated to have been received by one local authority, considerably higher than the £67,000 invested.
Over 4.4 million volunteer hours were given to the project, which is the equivalent of £155 million worth of labour at the minimum wage.
In terms of environmental transformation, an average of 15 acres of green space was maintained by each participating team.
Garden equipment was used to transform disused spaces, which 50 per cent of respondents said improved areas that were a hub of antisocial behaviour.
A reduction in crime is said to have resulted from these actions, in addition to an increased sense of pride and feel for a place.
"Having been involved with the campaign for the past 12 months, we have been able to see first hand how people and places have been transformed by Britain in Bloom," commented Martin Troughton, marketing director of Anglian Home Improvements, which sponsored the undertaking.
"It is a tool which brings real change, something that is measurable, sustainable and almost always awe inspiring," he added.
Another organisation that stands to benefit from the work of local gardeners is the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, as Harrogate News reported the group is calling on green-fingered Yorkshire residents to open their gardens for public display in order to raise funds so volunteers can continue their work saving lives at sea.
