GREEN FUTURES
A GARDEN APPEAL
Join us on our mission to shape green futures at The Exchange.
September 2026 will mark the fifth anniversary of when we planted our garden, a space designed by award-winning garden designer Sarah Price, a common paradise, open to everyone.
We believe this beautiful garden can become a landmark for experimental horticulture and an exemplar for community green space that inspires wellbeing, community conversation, and a next generation of garden designers and makers, for Erith and beyond.
From just £30, you can help us unlock this inspiring future.
UNLOCK THE FUTURE
To shape green futures, our ambitions are three-fold:
+ Community Wellbeing and Conversation
We will develop the space to support wellbeing within our community, and to encourage conversations within our tranquil space. Initiatives will include improved seating and spaces for quiet reflection and conversation, improvements to the planting and environment to increase the potential for tranquillity through the senses, and completing the greenhouse to enable propagation and sharing of plants with our community.
+ Environmental Innovation & Biodiversity
We will continue to improve the garden in response to its climatic environment, and in order to increase the biodiversity of the area. This will include improved rainwater collection, creation of water features and ponds to create new habitats for important species… These will be delivered in collaboration with our local community, creating opportunities to learn how to tackle environmental challenges.
+ Supporting a Next Generation of Garden Makers
We will improve our learning opportunities, creating more structured activities and programmes that support members of the local community and beyond to learn about experimental horticulture and gain hands-on experience of delivering incredible green change. We will also establish a Botanical research and reference library within our “Mulberry Room”, using an incredible collection of books kindly donated by Margot Godfrey.
BECOME A PATRON
From just £30, you can become a Patron
GIVING THIS GARDEN, & ITS COMMUNITY, THE FUTURE IT DESERVES.
Explore the offers below, and make your donation now. Or, if you have any questions and would like to discuss, get in touch with Sarah: sarah@theexchangeerith.com
PLANT PATRON
£30
Donor benefits:
A digital certificate acknowledging your gift
Your name included in our Annual Review as a Plant Patron
Invitation to The Garden Party 2026
GARDEN PATRON
£100 - £349
Donor benefits:
A digital certificate acknowledging your gift
Your name included in our Annual Review as a Garden Patron
Your name embroidered into a botanical book that will be on display in the Mulberry Room
A limited edition print inspired by the garden, by artist Jeanine Woollard
An invitation to The Garden Party 2026
Annual benefits to The Exchange (1 year)
GARDEN PATRON +
£350+
Donor benefits:
A digital certificate acknowledging your gift
Your name included in our Annual Review as a Garden Patron
Your name embroidered into a botanical book that will be on display in the Mulberry Room
A limited edition print inspired by the garden, by artist Jeanine Woollard
A choice of three TEX CRAFT gifts
An invitation to The Garden Party 2026
Annual benefits to The Exchange (1 year)
THE GREENHOUSE PATRON
£5,000
Donor benefits:
Named Recognition as Greenhouse Patron every year of support (£1k per year, minimum of 5 years)
Your name embroidered on to the Greenhouse Page of a botanical book that will be on display, embroidered by Kathy Hampson.
One free hire of The Garden Room & Terrace per year of support
Garden Patron+ Benefits (Annual Benefits and Party invitations every year of support)
THE WOODLAND GARDEN PATRON
£5,000
Donor benefits:
Named Recognition as Woodland Garden Patron every year of support (£1k per year, minimum of 5 years)
Your name embroidered on to the Mulberry Tree page of a botanical book that will be on display, embroidered by Usha Vella.
One free hire of The Garden Room & Terrace per year of support
Garden Patron+ Benefits (Annual Benefits and Party invitations every year of support)
THE FERN YARD GARDEN PATRON
£5,000
Donor benefits:
All recognition previously mentioned
Named Recognition as Fern Yard Garden Patron every year of support (£1k per year, minimum of 5 years)
Your name embroidered on to the Fern Page of a botanical book that will be on display, embroidered by Carole Jeffrys.
One complimentary hire of The Garden Room & Terrace per year of support
THE EAST GARDEN PATRON
£7,500
Donor benefits:
All recognition previously mentioned
Named Recognition as East Garden Patron every year of support (£1,500 per year, minimum of 5 years)
Your name embroidered on to the Rose Page of a botanical book that will be on display, embroidered by Jocelyn Erskine.
One complimentary hire of The Garden Room & Terrace per year of support
THE MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN PATRON
£7,500
Donor benefits:
Named Recognition as Mediterranean Garden Patron every year of support (£1,500 per year, minimum of 5 years)
Your name embroidered on to the Iris Benton Susan page of a botanical book that will be on display, embroidered by Angela Strong.
One free hire of The Garden Room & Terrace per year of support
Garden Patron+ Benefits (Annual Benefits and Party invitations every year of support)
THE GARDEN ROOM TERRACE PATRON
£5,000
Donor benefits:
All recognition previously mentioned
Named Recognition as Garden Room Terrace Patron every year of support (£1k per year, minimum of 5 years)
Your name embroidered on to the Rose Page of a botanical book that will be on display, embroidered by Mandy Johnson.
One complementary hire of The Garden Room & Terrace per year of support
THE GARDEN STORY
Plans for a garden around Erith’s Old Library started early in The Exchange’s history, but it wasn’t until 2021 when ground was broken and the entire area around the building was landscaped to create access, and planted to create beauty.
Under the guidance of Sarah Price, members of our local community - of all ages - were joined by students from Capel Manor College to plant a garden that responded to its social and climatic environment. This includes Mediterranean planting at the sun-drenched front, woodland planting under the old Mulberry Trees along the South Terrace, and features like the hand-made brick standing areas and corrugated iron fencing, recalling the industrial heritages of Erith’s yesterday.
Since, the garden has been cared for by a talented group of Head Gardeners, supported by an incredible group of local volunteers, nurturing it through the hot summer of the pandemic and on towards maturity.
Find out more about the garden here and see how the garden developed in the gallery above.