Grove Garden
Fun, wellbeing, good vibes and friendship for the over 50s
Your safe and friendly space where you will always be welcomed with a smile in the centre of Haywards Heath.
We are urging local businesses to
‘Give and Grow Before It’s Taxed’
We are encouraging local businesses to redirect part of their corporation tax to grow something wonderful and double the support we offer local people 50+.
We are calling on local employers/limited companies small, medium and the bigger ones too, to consider giving now, when many will be preparing their year-end accounts or about to pay their tax.
Help us to build an all weather space so we can be open all year, even when it’s - hot, cold , windy or wet. Double the support we offer and replace loneliness with fun, wellbeing and kindness all year around .
1. You can strengthen your community — where your staff and customers live helping people over 50 locally to be happier, healthier and less lonely.
2. Proudly let people see your values in action - become a visible champion of wellbeing, community and kindness.
3. You proudly wear the badge of a Grove Garden Community Business Champion on your website, window, vehicles and social media.
4. Use your tax bill to grow something wonderful - If you're going to spend the money anyway… why not use it to build something that transforms lives.
4. Boost your wellbeing - Get involved. Grove Garden has a way of lifting everyone who steps inside — including supporters.
Experience the joy and warmth of being part of the Grove Garden family.
5. Know you are helping people live happier, healthier and longer lives. And see the difference you are making.
You can be proud to wear the ‘ Grove Garden Community Business Champion’ badge.
“When Covid came along I had to give up my job as a chef which I loved. I had worked my whole life. I also lost my husband. So Covid changed everything - I was at home alone, lonely and depressed. My health really suffered. I gained weight and didn’t go out much or very far.”
“Since I came to the garden and I haven’t looked back. I love colours and I love painting, so you can see my handy work on our brightly coloured water butt and our table and chairs.”
”Everyone is so warm and welcoming. If we had an indoor space it would be fantastic, we could be open all year whatever the weather which matters a lot to us and the others who love the garden and being together. It makes our lives so much better.” Says Gill pictured here after her handy paint work :)
“If you’re going to give the money away to ‘HMRC’, why not spend it on something that replaces loneliness and grows friendship, wellbeing, kindness and purpose for local people. Supporting Grove Garden means strengthening the community your staff and customers live in. You can be proud to turn your profit into purpose and wear the ‘ Grove Garden Community Business Champion’ badge.”
Says Nigel Ryan, Chair of Grove Garden pictured here.
Welcome
Take a moment to watch our short film - which gives you a snapshot of why people love Grove Garden.
We are looking for a ‘blooming marvellous’ Social Media and Campaign Volunteer or Agency looking to give back and work with a great small and thriving Charity partner.
UP & COMING
UP & COMING
NOTE OUR WINTER OPENING
FROM NOVEMBER - APRIL 2026
THE GARDEN IS OPEN OCCASIONALLY WITH OUR VOLUNTEERS KEEPING THE GARDEN TIDY. FOLLOW US CLICK HERE FOR FACEBOOK WITH OUR LATEST NEWS AND DETAILS OF WHEN WE ARE OPEN AND MEET UPS.
RAISING FUNDS TO STAY OPEN ALL YEAR
Watch this space and follow us on Facebook to get involved.
Below are our typical opening times from Spring onwards.
TUESDAY TO SATURDAY
TUESDAY: 12.00 – 2.30pm
WEDNESDAY: 12.00-2.30pm
THURSDAY: 12.00 – 2.30pm
FRIDAY: 12.00 - 2.30.pm
SATURDAY: 9.00 – 12.30pm
Enjoy: Gardening, Tai Chi, Laughter Yoga, Pilates, Nature Watch sessions, Art classes, board games: Scrabble, Chess, Dominoes. Singing, Chatting - Chilling and more. Workshops, talks and special guests too.
Help us to change more lives like Peter’s
Dropping a manhole cover on his thumb led to an A&E visit — and a chance conversation with a “Grover” that changed Peter Rood’s life.
“The garden has given me a reason to get up in the morning, go out, and do something. It’s been a godsend. There’s such a fantastic mix of people — all ages, all backgrounds — we all get on and we all have different things to contribute too” says Peter.
“I lost my wife of nearly 50 years to cancer, and we’d also lost our son Adam a few years before. Grove Garden has brought purpose and community back into my life. I love the Tai Chi which I join every week and recently even tried the Silver Swans ballet!
“What I love is that I can use my skills to build and repair things around the garden, so while I’m benefiting, I’m also giving back which brings me enormous satisfaction and reward. It makes me feel useful again. While I’m there I get full of ideas about the things I can do and contribute.
“Has the garden changed my life? Yes, absolutely! An indoor space will mean this special place can stay open whatever the weather — and that will change even more lives and mean we can benefit all year round.”
Peter has been using his brilliant skills to build and mend things around the garden, from plant tables, to shed doors & our beloved generator. Coming next - a pond :)
Fun in the garden
Some of our regular activities. Come early to chat and stay behind for drinks and time together. Donations of £2 per sessions or a little more if you’d like to.
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Laughter Yoga - Monthly Thursdays 1pm.
No Exercises - just breathing and laughing :) No need for jokes or comedy. It includes, easy stretches, breathing practices and Laughter techniques. It’s simple and fun..
Suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
It helps you live more joyfully and be more able to cope with whatever stresses life may bring.
When we laugh, we release endorphins -the feel-good hormones that uplift our moods, help to combat stress and boosts our immune systems.
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Tai Chi with Ruth - Weekly: Wed 1pm Sat 9.30am
Tai Chi is wonderful for the mind and body. Suitable for everyone. You can even do it sitting down. A gentle, low-impact exercise with roots in Chinese martial arts, often described as "meditation in motion".
It involves a series of slow, flowing movements combined with deep, rhythmic breathing. Tai chi is wonderful for your wellbeing. Including improved balance, flexibility, and stress reduction. Including improved balance and flexibility, better sleep, and potential benefits for your heart health too.
Perfect for people of all ages and fitness levels.
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Art Group with Michael - Weekly Tuesdays 1pm
This is an opportunity for you to come and create your own work of art, with Michael on hand to give support and guidance.
You might be trying art for the first time or already have a passion for sketching or watercolours for example.
Just come along. Just bring a pencil. We provide everything else.
Become a Friend of Grove Garden & Join the ‘Grovers’
Be part of our wonderful volunteer and friendship community.
Coming soon: Free ID card - Quarterly Newsletter. Discounts - details tbc.
ABOUT GROVE GARDEN
Grove Garden is a special space in Haywards Heath. It was bequeathed to the town by Joyce Grove. The garden was opened in 1995 with the explicit aim of providing older members of our community with a peaceful outside area to enjoy. Over the years the garden had become overgrown and inaccessible. Since then a new team of trustees and volunteers have taken on the garden and with a lot love, sweat and tears created a wonderful space with a vision of a vibrant, safe and stimulating community garden and meeting space once again. A space we intend to keep developing for the local comunity and with local help. Everything in the garden is donated from the local community and recycled.
Do come see us…..we will be delighted to see you …. We even have a plant shop too.
Grove Garden is a unique space in Haywards Heath that was bequeathed to the town by Joyce Grove - pictured here:
Joyce Grove was a Head Teacher and the Founder of St. Clair’s School, (originally on the site of Clair Hall, Haywards Heath). A drama teacher, elocution teacher and philanthropist who lived and taught at Heath Road in Haywards Heath, West Sussex for the latter part of her life. One of Joyce’s more famous pupils was star of stage and screen and our patron Greta Scacchi.
The garden was opened in 1995 with the explicit aim of providing older members of our community with a peaceful outside area to enjoy. Over the years the garden had become overgrown and inaccessible but new trustees took over a few years ago with a vision of creating a vibrant, safe and stimulating community garden and meeting space once again.
As well as offering the space that Joyce Grove envisaged we hope that the garden will become a place to enjoy art, culture and wellbeing.
Covid-19 and Storm Eunice inevitably caused delays to our plans but it is anticipated that the garden will open in the late Summer of 2023.
Grove Garden was the Mayor of Haywards Heath’s charity for 2019-2021.
To date the garden has had support from Waitrose, The Rotary Club of Haywards Heath, Cuckfield and Lindfield, Sussex Tree Surgeons, Haywards Heath Council, Beacon Fencing, East Sussex College to name but a few.
We have also received generous donations from The Whear Family, The Charlton Family, Alan & Elisabeth Robinson of Park Farm, Haywards Heath Horticultural Society and a grant from Sussex Community Partnership.
Grove Garden was also proud to receive 15 saplings from the Queens Green Canopy Organisation which have been planted in the garden to mark Her late Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.