Grow To Know’s story
Grow to Know was created in the aftermath of the Grenfell Fire. The tragic events of June 14th, 2017 changed the course of many lives, including those lived or who had lived in the Ladbroke Grove area of North Kensington. The world stood still following the blaze that took the lives of 72 innocent lives.
The moments after the Grenfell Tower fire saw the North Kensington community seek understanding, solace and justice. Creativity became an expression of hurt, pain and anger - and it was under the motorway at Maxilla where Tayshan Hayden-Smith and other members of the community planted the seeds of change. Dubbed the Grenfell Guerrilla Gardener, Tayshan began to reclaim space for community and nature - the first time he had ever stepped foot in a garden in this way. It was in these moments where a movement was born.
Grow2Know (now Grow to Know) was founded as a not-for-profit, in the midst of the COVID pandemic, and following the passing of founder Tayshan's mother Nancy - who had a deep appreciation and adoration for nature, especially during her 10 years battling terminal illness. Nancy had an undeniable influence on Tayshan's profound love for nature and left behind a legacy of kindness, appreciation and understanding.
In 2023, Grow to Know created the smallest ever RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden, “Closing the Green Gap,” which explored the growing divide and disparity in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, intended to highlight the reality of nature access beyond the gates of RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Useful learnings from Grow To Know
During the pandemic, the nature of the situation meant that funders and support organisations were able to fast track grants and to become more flexible with how they administered support. This opened up a lot more opportunities for community organisations to access funding quickly, without arduous paperwork and evidence-gathering. In the years since the pandemic the system has reverted to its previous state, and funding and support is once again a huge challenge for grassroots organisations.
Projects can have amazing ripple effects beyond their original intentions. In 2022 Grow to Know was asked by Penguin Random House to help create a Peter Rabbit-themed garden in a St. Clement’s & St. James’ Primary School. This commercial partnership has led to a permanent green space that is now available to children at the school, and has also influenced the opening of a new nursery opening up on the school site, meaning even more children can access nature on a daily basis.
Grow To Know's metrics
Number of community members engaged.
