A mother and son have won a BBC garden makeover competition.
Lisa, a decorator from Worthing, and her son George were awarded a pocket-sized garden transformation worth £6,000.
The BBC, in collaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), offers the chance to have a small outdoor space, no larger than a car parking space, transformed into a green oasis.
The competition, called Pocket Size Garden Makeover, requires applicants to detail why the transformation would benefit them.
Lisa, who moved out of the family home as a teenager, said she wanted to provide George with the same childhood garden experience she had.
George had never had a garden, and Lisa said she felt guilty for not fulfilling his wish.
The family lived in a studio flat until Lisa managed to secure a small mortgage to buy a property that she hoped would have a garden.
However, after a difficult sale and purchase, they ended up with a first-floor flat with no garden.
BEFORE: The flat did have a tiny strip of land at the front, but it was laid with pebbles and was not seen as being particularly useful. (Image: Lisa Joseph) Lisa said: “We have great indoor space from this flat now, and we are very grateful for this, but it had come at the cost of not having our long-wished-for garden.”
The flat did have a tiny strip of land at the front, but it was laid with pebbles and was not seen as being particularly useful.
Lisa said: “We moved into this flat a year ago, and every day I’d look out and try to imagine what could be done with this area, how it might be able to be used in a way that could benefit my son.”
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For George, having a garden was more than just a wish.
Lisa explained that George sometimes needs to be outside to help with anxiety.
She said: “My wish in the application was to have somewhere for my son to go and feel amongst greenery, to have sensory soothing smells and sounds.
“Somewhere for him to socialise and talk about teen woes, or somewhere to sit and eat a takeaway with his friends.”
Lisa’s friend, Andrea, also nominated them for the garden makeover, which helped them win.
AFTER: The garden was designed by Chris Hull from BBC’s Garden Rescue. (Image: Lisa Joseph) The garden was designed by Chris Hull from BBC’s Garden Rescue.
Lisa and George were thrilled with the transformation, which included an 80-year-old olive tree, a water feature, and various plants.
Lisa said: “The guilt melted away, and my eyes filled with tears of joy and inspiration.”
She added: “We are blessed, not just by the people we have in our lives, but by this awesome gift of a garden.
“When that sun is out, the water feature will be on, and I will be reminiscing.
“I feel the sense of love every time I look at it from the window.
“And whenever I see my son out there, it makes my heart smile.”
The garden has not only provided a space for George to relax but has also positively impacted the neighbourhood, offering opportunities for social interaction and benefiting wildlife. (Image: Lisa Joseph) The garden has not only provided a space for George to relax but has also positively impacted the neighbourhood, offering opportunities for social interaction and benefiting wildlife.
The story is a testament to the power of community, friendship, and the kindness of strangers in making dreams come true.
The BBC’s competition has provided much more than just a physical transformation.