First day at RHS Hampton Court Flower show and the Bounce Back garden proves itself a winner. Bounce Back, and the charity's collaborators, Walworth Garden Farm and Changing Paths are delighted with the efforts put into this garden demonstrating to visitors how important support, training and above all, employment are in helping people unravel the difficulties they've had getting their lives back on track through the creation of this garden and its sculpture.

The photo call saw (left to right): Steve Reed OBE Shadow Home Office Minister; Derek Taylor Managing Director of Ishoka Design and TV presenter also known for his design of the Clink restaurants based in a number of prisons; Frederic Whyte the award winning landscape gardener who donated his time to creatively plant the garden expressing Bounce Backs purpose and Bounce Back members. On bright orange space hoppers bouncing back around the garden, they definitely attracted people. With many questions answered by Francesca Findlater, CEO and Founder, Bounce Back and Kevin Moore CEO of Walworth Garden Farm, horticultural partner.

“Exhibiting at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Festival is a colourful way to communicate the wealth of talent that exists both amongst our participants and also amongst the organisations that work with them” said Francesca Findlater, CEO, “and through generous support, we have been able to create a visual narrative which reflects our mission to reduce re-offending, it has been hard team work and a learning curve for all involved.”

For more information and high res images from Hampton Court visit, https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.529750717152551.1073741832.319173864876905&type=3

Watch and share Bounce Back on BBC: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=760034110704955&set=vb.128645453843827&type=2&theater

-Ends-

For more information on Bounce Back, Changing Paths, or Walworth Garden Company
Francesca Findlater
fran@bouncebackproject.com
07770 648993

Notes to Editors:

Bounce Back is a Charity and a Social Enterprise focussed on training and employment of ex-offenders.  We firmly believe that everyone has the ability to change and working in several prisons, as well as with London Probation, we offer training, work experience and employment to offenders at the end of their sentences using the skills developed both in custody and on release. Helping people re-engage with the community Bounce Back acts as a 'bridge' between prison and full time employment. We give people a chance to see a career path, gain confidence, obtain a reference to move on or, in some cases, stay with our team in the social enterprise.

Francesca Findlater, CEO and Founder, Bounce Back:   After a 20 year career in design and branding, including on the board of public companies, Francesca started employing ex-offenders in a CSR capacity within her brand design business in 2009. This led to the inception of the award-winning painting and decorating Charity and Social Enterprise, Bounce Back in 2011 which trains and employs ex-offenders. The project is now recognised as a social innovator in the sector with re-offending rates of only 10% against the government average of 60%, and now has its own training centre in HMP Brixton as well as in the community. With over 30 professional decorators working around London and the Home Counties and many highly valued construction partners including Wates, Lend lease and others, they will shortly be launching their kitemark for partners who work with them to reduce re-offending. 

Steve Reed OBE, Shadow Home Office Minister: Bounce Back are very proud to have the support of Steve Reed to launch their garden at Hampton Court. Steve Reed OBE was elected Member of Parliament for Croydon North in a by election in November 2012. He was a councillor in Lambeth for 14 years and Leader of the Council from 2006 until his election as an MP, and before that worked in education publishing. Steve led the idea of cooperative councils nationally, based on the principle that public services are more effective if they are directly accountable to the people who use them.

Derek Taylor, Managing Director of Ishoka Design is one of the designer - presenters on ITV's hugely popular 60 Minute Makeover.  He has appeared on Living TV's Jades Salon and ITV's house of Horrors. Derek has extensive experience within the world of interior design.  He has employed Bounce Back on his projects and is hugely supportive of their objectives to employ people on release from prison.

Landscape designer Frederic Whyte: Frederic has a sensitive and creative approach to design that responds to client's expectations throughout the UK and Europe. He has won 2 RHS medals at the Chelsea Flower Show (2012, Silver Medal and 2013, Gold Medal).  An exciting designer who's been recognised for his literary style, both in town and country, Frederic combines form and structure with elegant and exuberant planting schemes being guided by local materials and plants. The theme for this year's garden was inspired by the charity, and the challenges people face. 'It is a joy to have been able to work with such enthusiastic and passionate organisations for my first garden at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show'