Connecting communities through sustainable gardening.
Green Shelter Society UK is a registered charity helping people and communities connect with nature.
Through our ‘Seed to Society’ initiative, we aim to build a nationwide network of seed swaps and plant swaps, making growing more accessible in towns across the UK.
Our other initiative ‘Gardening for Everyone‘, we aim to bring lower income groups in the community through our future app (Shobuj) to grow, sell, or swap plants, produce and flowers with the help of Green Shelter.
We work with local libraries, charities, councillors, places of worship, educational institutions, businesses and individuals to bring communities together through gardening.
By helping more people grow and share seeds and plants, we aim to strengthen food security, support physical and mental wellbeing, reduce waste and create greener, more connected communities.
Become
a volunteer
Find out more
about our projects
Donate
to support us
What we do
Seed bank
We will place 100 seed drawer cabinets in public libraries across 100 UK towns by 2027. People will be able to donate surplus seeds or collect seeds to grow at home, creating a simple and free sharing network.
Seed swap
Free community events where people can exchange seeds, while learning about home growing and seasonal planting. Donated seeds ensure everyone can participate, even if they have nothing to swap.
Plant swap
Plant swapping connects local growers to make gardening more affordable and accessible. We support people with seeds and growing knowledge, then encourage them to share surplus seedlings with others in their community.
Gardening for Everyone
A community project proposed by us to make gardening and small-scale food growing more accessible to people on lower incomes across the UK via an universal app. The project will remove some of the financial and knowledge barriers that can prevent people from growing plants, vegetables, herbs and other useful crops.
Places of worship
We support places of worship in growing seedlings, creating gardens in their institutions and sharing surplus produce with people in need. Together, these spaces can become local hubs for food security, sustainability and community connection.
Garden Open Day
Garden Open Days bring neighbours together to celebrate gardening, share ideas and enjoy environmental activities for all ages. We aim to revive this tradition by helping individuals and groups open their gardens to the community.
“Shared by ten, the load is light - And tending a garden feels just right.”
The ‘One Garden Week’ campaign brings friends, families and neighbours together to care for a shared garden. With food, activities and community events, gardening becomes lighter and more enjoyable.
Neighbourhood & Environment Awareness
We aim to organise workshops, seminars and community events with local organisations and businesses. These activities will bring people together to learn, collaborate and develop practical ways to protect nature and live more sustainably.
Helping Senior Citizens & People in Need
Our volunteers aim to support older and disabled community members who need help caring for their gardens. We may also help people find suitable contractors and explore funding opportunities where available.
Nature-Watching Tours
Our accessible nature trips will give older and disabled people opportunities to visit gardens, parks, forests and rural areas. These supported outings aim to improve wellbeing, reduce isolation and strengthen social connections.
Green Clubs for Schools
We work with schools, Green Clubs and parents to transform underused outdoor spaces into colourful and therapeutic gardens. These spaces can support wellbeing, outdoor learning and environmental awareness.
Garden Bloom
Garden Bloom is a proposed annual gardening competition celebrating attractive and well-maintained green spaces. Through friendly competition and community recognition, it will encourage more residents and businesses to get growing.
Sustainable Lifestyles
This project encourages simple, practical habits that support the environment and local wildlife. From reducing plastic and reusing containers to saving rainwater and creating wildlife-friendly gardens, small changes can make a meaningful difference.
Gardening All Year Round
We encourage people to enjoy gardening in every season using evergreens, perennials, houseplants and microgreens. Year-round gardening can keep spaces colourful and productive while supporting biodiversity, physical activity and mental wellbeing.
Making corner shops greener
We want to work with shopkeepers and volunteers to brighten local corner shops with planters, evergreen plants and seasonal flowers. The project creates more welcoming streets while encouraging shared responsibility and community pride.
Updates
Become a Green Shelter Volunteer
Do you want to make a real difference in your local community? Green Shelter Society UK is looking for enthusiastic volunteers across the UK to
Seed Swaps Continue to Grow Across the UK
Green Shelter Society UK continues to expand its community-led Seed Swap events across towns and cities nationwide. These free events provide an opportunity for local