25 Years of Innovation in Services
We are proud to be celebrating 25 years of personalised support for working gardeners and horticulturalists
Evolution of our services - innovations, changes and new approaches introduced since 2001
Established in 1839 as The Gardeners' Benevolent Society, we originally supported retired gardeners and nurserymen through quarterly charitable grants. These payments helped cover rent and living costs and provided a vital safety net. By 2000, our trustees recognised that the challenges facing people in horticulture had evolved. With a clear ambition to do more, we expanded our mission beyond retirement, broadening our support to people of working age.
Today, Perennial is the UK's only charity dedicated to supporting everyone working in horticulture. We provide free information, advice and tailored support to people and their families through life's challenges, when they need us most.
Back in 2001
we supported around
400 retired gardeners and nurserymen
Today 2026
we now support
2,445 people and their families with 1:1 services
2001
Gardeners Royal Benevolent Society, the first occupational charity to change the structure of services, to broaden our support for working gardeners as well as pensioners.
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2001
- Gardeners Royal Benevolent Society, the first occupational charity to change the structure of services, to broaden our support for working gardeners as well as pensioners.
- We recruited a 3-person casework team, specialising in welfare benefits, social care and health and self-employment.
- Personal support delivered through regional teams and home visits. We extended our offering across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Financial support programmes remain an essential part of the charity’s safety net.
2002
We expand our casework team from 3 to 5 people.
2003
Charity rebrands to ‘Perennial’, as focus expands to all sectors of horticulture.
2004
Alan Titchmarsh VMH, CBE DL becomes our President.
2005
A centralised helpline number established to ensure people can easily access our support. 0800 093 8543
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2005
- A centralised helpline number established to ensure people can easily access our support. 0800 093 8543
- HRH Princess Alexandra, The Hon. Lady Ogilvy becomes Patron of Perennial, following the passing of former Patron the late Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.
2006
Perennial supports circa 600 people, focusing on enabling self-employed people to maximise their income and access the welfare benefits they are entitled to.
2008
Our free Debt advice service launched, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, to support people working in horticulture to better manage their debt.
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2008
- Our free Debt advice service launched, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, to support people working in horticulture to better manage their debt.
- ‘Lironi’ training and career success programme established, supporting people with career development in horticulture.
2010
Royal Fund for Gardeners Children merges with Perennial .
2013
Perennial commissions regular child education payments
2014
Perennial increases representation at Welfare Benefit Appeal Tribunals
2015
We began providing advocacy and practical support to vulnerable service users attending face-to-face benefits assessments and medical appointments.
2019
Introduction of Perennial’s preventative services - providing the tools, resources and support people need to prevent an issue becoming a crisis, so they can create positive change themselves and build better futures.
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2019
- Introduction of Perennial’s preventative services - providing the tools, resources and support people need to prevent an issue becoming a crisis, so they can create positive change themselves and build better futures.
- Launch of online mental wellbeing service and specialist legal helpline in partnership with Irwin Mitchell
2020
Learning and Development Manager joins Perennial’s service team to focus on training, to enhance career development.
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2020
- Learning and Development Manager joins Perennial’s service team to focus on training, to enhance career development.
- Launch of specialist physio service for people working in horticulture, to aid recovery from injury so they can return to work.
2021
Inaugural Health and Wellbeing Survey launched – the biggest for the UK’s horticultural industry
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2021
- Inaugural Health and Wellbeing Survey launched – the biggest for the UK’s horticultural industry
- Mental Health First Aider training programme launched
- Partnership with Spectrum Life launched for Mental and Physical Wellbeing, offering fitness routines, nutritional advice and 24/7 support line.
- Our first focus group ‘Tough at the top’ introduced for industry leaders during the pandemic, to ensure we continued to listen to the industry during challenging times.
2022
Network for trained Mental Health First Aiders launched in partnership with MHFA England to help create a culture of positive mental health across the industry.
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2022
- Network for trained Mental Health First Aiders launched in partnership with MHFA England to help create a culture of positive mental health across the industry.
- Expanded focus on preventative initiatives with new team, so more people can access support early.
- Introduced financial wellbeing tool ‘nudge’ to enable people to better manage their finances.
2023
Career hub introduced in partnership with Working Transitions
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2023
- Career hub introduced in partnership with Working Transitions
- Online panel introduced to ensure Perennial’s services team have insight into the latest issues from all sectors of the industry
- First sector-based focus group specifically looking at themes and trends for garden centre employees
2024
Second industry-wide Wellbeing survey conducted. The results inform the development of our services during 2024 - 2026.
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2024
- Second industry-wide Wellbeing survey conducted. The results inform the development of our services during 2024 - 2026.
- Launch of Grief works, a digital tool to support people coping with bereavement.
2025
We partnered with Carers UK and Money and Pensions Service (MAPS)
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2025
- Perennial’s first Ambassador programme introduced, and our first Ambassador, Mark Gregory represents the charity and the services we can provide to the landscaping sector.
- We partnered with Carers UK and Money and Pensions Service (MAPS)
- Launched digital resources for carers working in horticulture
- Provided free webinars and digital resources on ‘Pensions’, for over 50s, self-employed, and those starting out in their careers in horticulture.
And now... 2026
Today, Perennial is the charity for everyone in horticulture. In 2026 we:
- Supported 2,445 people and their families through our one-to-one services
- Reached 19,753 people with expert advice and information programmes
- Helped secure £235,335 in disputed or written-off personal debt
Two New Perennial Ambassadors introduced: Angela Oliver specialising in the floristry sector and Steve Harper specialising in Garden Retail.
Hear from our service users:
Perennial was there for me in my hour of need and may well have saved my life. It sounds dramatic, but their calm guidance at a time when my life was in turmoil massively helped me.
A Landscaper who received debt and mental wellbeing support.
Not being able to do my job was hard to accept and triggered a lot of anxiety and depression. I felt useless, to be honest.... My physio treatment has been brilliant. If you’re not yourself physically or mentally, reach out because you’re not alone. I should have got help years ago, but I know Perennial are always there for me and encourage others to get in touch too.
A Grounds Maintenance person who received physio and mental wellbeing support.
I had never asked for help before, hard work had got me to this point, but after a short while speaking to Perennial I could feel this huge burden being lifted.....Anything I didn’t understand or was unable to do my caseworker dealt with swiftly and professionally. I have no doubt that without Perennial I would have lost my home. My life was on the line and Perennial saved me.
A Gardener who received support to manage the impact of a long-term health issue.
I was put in touch with a Perennial caseworker who was amazing. It was such a relief to know that someone cared, and I was blown away by the response from the charity.... Money was tight so we used the expertise of a Perennial Debt Adviser to talk through ways that my partner and I could eke our money out. Having a proper look at what money we had, maximising what was coming in and trying to reduce our expenditure really kept us afloat during a difficult time.
A Gardener who received redundancy and money and debt support.
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