Jackie Thompson

Gardener

Jackie Thompson has been the gardener for Hammersmith United Charities almshouses since December 2002. Over this time she has redeveloped both gardens and initiated a very active social and community programme of gardening with the residents.

At John Betts House residents have converted an area of tarmac at the back of the building; this now provides a large green house and a series of beds where residents can grow vegetables.

Workshops and outings with the community bus service are organised for those interested in gardening and Jackie also has a regular programme that encourages volunteers to work in the garden, watering, dead heading and weeding; all are heavily attended.

Jackie studied part-time whilst working at Caple Manor College and gained the RHS General Certificate, City and Guilds in Organic Husbandry and Holistic Studies; she attends lectures and study days given by the Oxford Botanic Gardens (during the winter time) and City and Guilds Level 1 in Floristry. She is currently planning to attend courses given by Thrive in garden therapy.

She has been awarded, amongst other distinctions, the London Garden Society Gold Medal and Challenge Cup, for John Betts House, in the small community gardens category in 2003, 2004 bronze, 2005 silver, 2006 Gold and Challenge Cup, 2007 highly commended and 2nd place in the Hammersmith and Fulham in bloom competition for community gardens. For Sycamore House, large community garden 2005 silver, 2007 bronze. Her aim from the beginning has been to create a beautiful, calm environment that makes older people who live there feel safe and want to be involved.

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