Samaritans' Listening Garden - GardensDB Browse [ ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** ](https://gardensdb.com) [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) [ Search gardens, designers, shows… ](https://gardensdb.com/search) [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fgardens%2Fsamaritans-listening-garden) [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) [ ](https://gardensdb.com/search) Discover - [ Home ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) Account - [ Login ](https://gardensdb.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fgardensdb.com%2Fgardens%2Fsamaritans-listening-garden) - [ Register ](https://gardensdb.com/register) Discover - [ Home Today's highlights ](https://gardensdb.com) - [ Gardens Show gardens, catalogued ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) - [ Shows Horticultural shows ](https://gardensdb.com/shows) - [ Events Festivals, courses & open days ](https://gardensdb.com/events) - [ 360° tours Step inside, long after the show packs up ](https://gardensdb.com/360-tours) - [ Trails Curated routes through the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/trails) People & studios - [ People Designers, judges, growers ](https://gardensdb.com/people) - [ Studios Design practices ](https://gardensdb.com/studios) - [ Books Recommended reading ](https://gardensdb.com/books) - [ Jobs Roles in the industry ](https://gardensdb.com/jobs) Organisations - [ Sponsors Organisations that back the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/sponsors) - [ Charity & non-profits Causes behind the gardens ](https://gardensdb.com/charities) - [ Collectives Groups & community projects ](https://gardensdb.com/collectives) - [ Companies Suppliers & contractors ](https://gardensdb.com/companies) - [ Education Schools, colleges & universities ](https://gardensdb.com/education-institutions) - [ Nurseries Plant suppliers & growers ](https://gardensdb.com/nurseries) [ Submit a garden ](https://gardensdb.com/gardens/submit) [ About GardensDB ](https://gardensdb.com/help) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/gardens/samaritans-listening-garden/primary_image.webp) [Gardens](https://gardensdb.com/gardens) / [ RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023 ](https://gardensdb.com/shows/rhs-chelsea-flower-show-2023) Show Garden ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/rhs-silver-gilt-medal/icon.webp) Silver Gilt Medal Samaritans' Listening Garden ============================== Designed by Darren Hawkes At a glance Show RHS Chelsea Flower Show Year 2023 Category Show Garden Large Show Garden Photo: Royal Horticultural Society About this garden The story ----------- Samaritans' Listening Garden is inspired by stories of people who found the courage to reach out to Samaritans in their darkest times. At the front of the garden, suspended concrete panels hang above a planting layer of spiny plants and dark colours. The pathway into the garden appears cracked with deep fissures leading down into blackness and the sound of gushing water. Stepping through the garden, things become calmer and more open, with a collection of Ulmus minor, and a sunken level with a sculptural bench which allows two people to sit, talk, listen, and be heard. Sculptural seats positioned throughout the garden remind us that taking time to talk can change our perspective on the world. A sculpture of a female figure by Andrew Litten, called Listening, sits in a quiet corner, waiting to hear the thoughts of those who pass through. Designed by Darren Hawkes, who has recently qualified as a listening volunteer, the garden is a special opportunity to celebrate the charity’s 70 years of supporting people. A remodelled version of Samaritans' Listening Garden will be permanently relocated at a Samaritans branch. Award Recognition ------------- - ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/awards/rhs-silver-gilt-medal/icon.webp) Silver Gilt Medal RHS The people behind it Designer ---------- - [ ![Darren Hawkes](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/people/darren-hawkes/profile_photo.webp?v=9e874dbf-fdef-457e-9c21-cef559602420) Darren Hawkes Designer Darren Hawkes Landscapes ](https://gardensdb.com/people/darren-hawkes) Photography Gallery --------- ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/da02ccc2-5f10-4f93-aff5-e389585c723a/conversions/image_1-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/9b3fa264-bd2f-4663-98b0-d82ba5d9b70d/conversions/image_2-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/28a666ae-0710-48b6-969e-8f1ece35e5c8/conversions/image_3-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/6cabfd1f-75e3-465f-9bbd-4d84ea2a5b02/conversions/image_4-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/cc27b252-c7dd-4083-ab7c-fb9896cea826/conversions/mqdefault-gallery.webp) Samaritans' Listening Garden - Episode 1 ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/30e55104-0bd8-4c24-9146-a26e68e2aab7/conversions/27CA1F67-1245-4E21-ABA2-E48FDC9E82F2_1_105_c-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/5c2a476f-64f3-4051-8eac-56c4fadbcbdf/conversions/D40A8D45-419E-4B8F-8FEA-B0E6D709C94C_1_105_c-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/26e87d8f-9146-488f-89e8-cb3f39749619/conversions/A6F05BF6-E94A-4F53-B2A0-6E808C4ACA7A_1_105_c-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/bd6618e8-0ff1-40e1-8be4-232741161ee6/conversions/A39F299F-5C97-41D4-BAFA-A669E2FB2E01_1_105_c-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/fa61cc17-4a05-4966-8338-168c76128bef/conversions/64CE1E8D-E4C9-4E21-BF91-F7939D98033C_1_105_c-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/9f13bdb9-0cb2-4d3b-b3a9-76c6ae55197e/conversions/9DEE8419-D9A8-40CA-8F65-176BD472B2B2_1_105_c-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/29e4439f-19be-42c1-acf9-c3280f6bf5a8/conversions/C5493392-C22F-4042-85A1-1265178997DF_1_105_c-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/04599535-efa1-4701-a0d4-10b5a54ca2aa/conversions/6F1F5F5A-6C14-40AC-BD3F-B77E2B8C7E4A_1_105_c-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/c191a281-e626-46d0-94b9-0cdaf4e6784d/conversions/074F6115-61E6-4238-A35C-706BF043A522_1_105_c-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/f0cc3766-f602-44b2-8813-28eca9176fb6/conversions/B816B992-B952-49C4-B749-19FBFB1E93CC_1_105_c-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/97d7e664-6d45-4024-978c-b16d157a9fac/conversions/FE9BE29E-5DF3-4E1B-8BC9-D92C030726E2_1_105_c-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/7199f1b4-4795-4db4-9df4-49cffce65d55/conversions/C64FF820-7662-4ADF-AF3A-D05663BB26BB_1_105_c-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/ae68678a-2fb5-42dc-925e-066e1bad3d55/conversions/AFF1BD5F-9A0D-464E-BAA9-33F1183D995A_1_105_c-gallery.webp) ![](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/media/35f03527-01b5-4996-8f10-1e152dd644d1/conversions/D27262E0-A6FE-4B3C-A0C7-013B0D152A91_1_105_c-gallery.webp) Show 2 more Show less ![]() / Photo: Brought to life by Organisations --------------- ### Design Studio 1 - [ D Darren Hawkes Landscapes ](https://gardensdb.com/studios/darren-hawkes-landscapes) ### Builder 1 - [ ![Landform Consultants](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/studios/landform/logo.png) Landform Consultants ](https://gardensdb.com/studios/landform-consultants) ### Sponsor 1 - [ ![Project Giving Back](https://cdn.gardensdb.com/charities/project-giving-back/logo.webp) Project Giving Back ](https://gardensdb.com/charities/project-giving-back) With thanks to Additional sponsors --------------------- - [ Samaritans ](https://www.samaritans.org/) - [ New Wood Trees ](https://newwoodtrees.co.uk/) ![](/images/leaf_icon.svg) Gardens**DB** The world's largest collection of show gardens online, kept free, kept current, and shaped by the community that uses it. 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