BreathingSpace breaks ground for RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden arrival

Builders have today put the first spades in the ground to prepare Rotherham’s Breathing Space for the relocation of one of the 13 standout gardens from this year’s prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

The move will see Asthma+Lung UK’s Breathing Space Garden find a permanent home as a therapeutic space for patients and staff of The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, following one of the world’s most famous gardening events held in London in May.

The garden has been designed for people living with lung conditions by landscape designers Angus Thompson and will feature accessible paths, therapeutic planting, and a floating platform for breath-focused practices. The design makes it the perfect fit for BreathingSpace, which is The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust’s specialist site for people living with respiratory conditions.

Dan Flynn, a landscape construction expert of 35 years’ experience, is leading on the garden build at Chelsea and then Rotherham. Dan, who has featured work at the Chelsea Flower Show for almost 30 years, will be supported by Rotherham based CGM Landscapes both at Chelsea and for the relocation. Following the show, Dan and CGM will work together to re-build the garden as it was presented at Chelsea.

Bob Kirton, Managing Director at The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It’s great to see so many of our partners come together today at BreathingSpace and take a step forward to this becoming an exciting reality for our patients and for Rotherham. I would like to thank everyone for their support for this amazing project in Rotherham”

The garden is sponsored by Project Giving Back – a grant-making scheme giving charitable organisations the chance to apply for a fully funded RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Other local companies such as Cadeby Stone Ltd and Jewson.

Dan Flynn said: “I’m delighted and feel very privileged to be able to build this garden at Rotherham’s BreathingSpace. The collaboration between the Trust’s staff, designer (Angus Thompson) patients and wider community has been fantastic. Almost every person I’ve dealt with has in some way been affected by issues supported by Asthma+Lung UK or has had friends or family’s visit and use BreathingSpace.

“Already the support from the local business community has been incredible. Lee from CGM Landscapes, suppliers such as Jewsons, Cadeby Stone Ltd, E.ON and Parkway Sheet Metal have been very generous in suppling materials and equipment. The community as a whole seem to be filling this garden with care, support and kindness before we’ve even built it, so I’m very proud to be a small part of it.”

In addition, the Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity secured a £25,000 grant from the Greener Communities Fund, delivered by NHS Charities Together. Rachael Dawes, Head of Charity and Engagement at Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity, said: “The health and wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature are well known, and the Greener Communities Fund exists to help change this by creating and improving green spaces that support the wellbeing of patients, NHS staff and local communities. We extend our sincere gratitude to NHS Charities Together for helping make this lasting therapeutic space possible for Rotherham.”

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show will take place from Tuesday 19 May to Saturday 23 May 2026 at Royal Hospital Chelsea, London. The show invites visitors to experience the very best in landscape design, highlighting gardens that champion good causes, spotlight charities, and showcase gardening themes.