For 30 years, the National Garden Scheme has been one of Marie Curie’s most valued partners. We’re proud to celebrate this long‑standing partnership, during which the scheme has raised more than £12 million to help us support more people at the end of life, along with their families and friends. Through fundraising, awareness, and the power of green spaces, our partnership continues to make a real difference.
Explore National Garden Scheme gardens near you
The National Garden Scheme invites people to explore more than 3,500 beautiful private gardens across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. So, wherever you are, you can find a nearby garden to explore. Through entry tickets, tea and delicious cakes, the scheme raises impressive amounts of money for nursing and health charities, including Marie Curie.
The scheme also promotes the physical and mental health benefits of spending time in green spaces. Their Gardens and Health programme highlights these wellbeing effects. And each year, their Little Yellow Book of Gardens and Health helps us rediscover the good in outdoor spaces.
Watch: National Garden Scheme and Marie Curie.Watch: National Garden Scheme and Marie Curie.
Marie Curie celebrates its long-standing partnership with the National Garden Scheme.
Opening our hospice gardens with the National Garden Scheme
In recent years, we’ve loved opening several of our hospice gardens as part of the National Garden Scheme partnership. Our hospices in Newcastle and the West Midlands now welcome visitors into the beautiful green spaces enjoyed by families and staff. Their gardens feature in the Scheme’s ‘Find a Garden’ list, giving people the chance to experience these calm, restorative spaces.
Maria Haughey, Deputy Head of Operations at Marie Curie said: “We were delighted here at the Marie Curie Hospice West Midlands to be once again opening our gardens to the National Garden Scheme. It was also a great opportunity for us as a hospice to welcome visitors who may have never visited our hospice before, and for them to see the beautiful environment of our hospice.”
We’re excited to see more of our Marie Curie Hospice gardens join the National Garden Scheme in the future.
Supporting the next generation of nursing and care
Funding from the National Garden Scheme partnership has brought the NGS Nightingale Challenge to our nurses and caring services staff. It’s a leadership programme that supports upcoming professionals to build confidence and develop their skills. We’re grateful to the National Garden Scheme for this opportunity.
The challenge launched in 2021 and so far, 68 of our nursing and caring services staff have completed it. Our 2025 class, graduating in February 2026, received more applications than ever before.
“During the past 9 months, I have developed a greater confidence in the way I communicate – both written and verbally. The Challenge has encouraged me to work outside my comfort zone and provided an extra ‘push’ to develop confidence in my role.” Jessica, Nurse Manager, Scotland.