QNI receives record funding from the National Garden Scheme

After a huge year of garden visits, the National Garden Scheme has awarded a record £500,000 in funding to the Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI), continuing their long-standing relationship.

Originally established to raise funds for district nurses by the QNI in 1927, the National Garden Scheme is now the most significant charitable funder of nursing in the UK. After separating from the QNI in 1980, the National Garden Scheme continues to be a valued partner and has donated more than £6.5m to the charity during this time. The National Garden Scheme continues to be the QNI’s largest funder.

The National Garden Scheme opened 3,372 gardens in 2024 with 582 garden owners welcoming visitors through their doors, raising a record £3.5m. Funds raised by the National Garden Scheme are distributed among beneficiary charities that support nursing, health and horticulture.

In 2024, the support of the National Garden Scheme enabled the QNI to:

• Continue the Queen’s Nurse programme, which brings together more than 3,000 Queen’s Nurse in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to develop their professional skills and deliver outstanding patient care in the community.
• Fund a selective cohort to join the QNI’s Executive Leadership Programme, which develops senior leaders in community healthcare organisations.
• Award NGS Elsie Wagg (Innovation) Scholarships focused on funding gardens and health projects designed nurses to help promote health and wellbeing in their communities.

While continuing to fund all aspects of QNI’s key work, the latest donation includes £100,000 that will help support four professional networks for which other funding unexpectedly ceased in 2023; the General Practice Nurse network, the Community Children’s Nurse network, the Homeless and Inclusion Health network and the Long Covid Nurse Group. This will enable these networks to continue and grow while the QNI develops its Organisational Membership offering.

How can I support the National Garden Scheme in 2025?

The National Garden Schemes gardens are now open for 2025! More than 3,300 gardens will open to the public this year, kicking off with Snowdrop and Spring Flower gardens.

The National Garden Scheme’s iconic yellow book, the Garden Visitor’s Handbook 2025, is now available to pre-order here. This essential guide provides inspiration to garden visitors including over 500 new hidden gems.

If you’d like to volunteer to open your own garden and raise funds for community nursing, find out more here.

The National Garden Scheme is holding an exciting event with Monty Don in conversation with Sophie Raworth on Thursday 20th February 2025 at 7pm. Get your tickets here.