Show Garden: The Joy Club Garden

The Joy Club Garden, named after its sponsor The Joy Club, an online community and activities club that provides inspiration for a joyful retirement, has been designed by North London-based garden designer, Zavier Kwek, and built by Robinson Arnold Landscaping.  The garden explores the themes of loneliness and isolation in later life. Through its clever use of design and landscaping, the garden takes its visitors on a journey of reflection and champions the importance of intergenerational social connections, community and friendship. 

There are three sections to the garden, starting with an area which is separated from the rest of the garden by steel screens depicting loneliness and isolation in later life. A short path leads to a bridge over a pond, which provides an opportunity to reflect and consider the hurdles many people face when they think about reconnecting. A table with seating in the final section encourages socialising and inclusivity. Highlights to look out for include an evergreen pine tree signifying the wisdom and longevity that come with older age, whilst a smaller pine tree, yet to reach maturity, represents the nurturing of multigenerational relationships. 

The Joy Club, which launched in December 2020, is an online community and activities club offering inspiration for a happy and fulfilled retirement. Inspired by Hannah’s Granny Jean, for whom retirement was a joyful phase of life, it provides a rich variety of live online events every weekday, with everything from art classes and yoga to live music and expert talks, giving members an opportunity to meet and connect with others who share their interests. It is now the go-to place for activities, inspirational content and community for thousands of retirees across the UK. 

Hannah continues: “Retirement should be the start of an exciting new chapter. Freed from the daily 9 to 5 and with an average of 20 percent of our lives ahead of us, there is more free time to pursue hobbies and interests. But for many people, entering this phase of life can be daunting. With The Joy Club, my vision is to help people connect over shared interests and to explore new passions with like-minded peers. It is about enabling people to find community and share joyful moments together.”

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