RHS It's Your Neighbourhood 2026
This is an RHS Initiative for smaller community groups (3 or more volunteers per group) to enter. An IYN project is ideal if you have a space in your community which is crying out for improvement, tidying up etc. Groups of friends can come together at regular intervals to transform the space into something which improves the area by providing colour as well as helping to reverse the decline in biodiversity.
An IYN project can be anywhere in your community and can include neglected areas or corners as well as Allotments, Street, Housing Groups, Sheltered Housing, Care Homes and Hospices etc.
These entries are assessed rather than judged and the emphasis is on support and development not on competition. Community Participation, Environmental Responsibility and Gardening Achievement are all looked at. There is no charge for entering and the average length of assessment is half an hour. Levels awarded are Establishing, Improving, Advancing, Thriving and Outstanding.
Any registered RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood group can enter for the Cumbria in Bloom Woodland Copse (if appropriate) special awards.
It’s Your Neighbourhood groups can band together for a non-competitive award that recognises their involvement in improving their locality.
Special Awards
- Railway stations
- Use of open spaces
- Housing associations
- Allotment groups
Open to volunteer led groups that are improving and greening up their local environment through gardening and environmental activities.
It’s Your Neighbourhood is free to enter and open to groups of all sizes, as long as they are focused on improving their local environment and are:
- A volunteer-led group
- Hands on
- Involved in community gardening
- Owned by the community
- Representative of the community/getting input from the community
- Benefiting the community
For example, you could be:
- A resident’s group/association
- A “Friends of” group
- A youth group
- A community allotment/garden
The scheme encourages participants to focus on three core areas:
- Community participation
- Environmental Responsibility
- Gardening Achievement
While it is a non-competitive programme, groups taking part receive an annual visit from an experienced ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood’ assessor (supplied by Cumbria In Bloom), who will be able to provide valuable constructive feedback. Based on this visit, each group receives a certificate of merit from the RHS, reflecting their achievements.
- A stronger sense of community
- Cleaner and greener surroundings
- A safer environment
- Healthier and happier local neighbourhoods, with less litter and more attractive green spaces
- Community engagement in environmentally sustainable practices
- Reduced anti-social behaviour
Get Involved
Volunteer, Membership, Judging
