Based in West London, North Kensington, members of the community unified through guerrilla gardening as a way of healing in response to the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.

With no plan or strategy, the community turned to nature to gather and unify in what was a baron, neglected and unloved space. A transformation occurred as people came together to dig, plant and discuss and the space came to be known as the Grenfell Garden of Peace. Situated in Maxilla, in front of the Wall of Truth, this garden was a symbol of hope to many, as community members would walk past to share a smile, a conversation or to offer their time – often, five minutes would turn into ten, which would turn into an hour, which would turn into days. Phone numbers exchanged and a Facebook group created to update and invite people down to come together to the garden. The community would then go on to reclaim three more spaces – completely unresourced: Acklam Nature Project, Maxilla Nursery, Kingsnorth House.

It was the feeling of community, unity and healing that inspired the beginnings of Grow2Know, in late 2019, capturing and creating a legacy based on the community’s response to such trauma, tragedy and loss, but also to create positive change for future generations.