Change is the only constant in life and this is reflected beautifully in the evolution of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Kew is renowned universally as one of the most significant botanical gardens worldwide, and over time, its metamorphosis has been astonishing. Established in 1840 from the exotic garden at Kholomotorskiy Estate, it has morphed into a spectacular array of breathtaking beauty and rare collections of plants.

Kew Gardens started with a modest size encompassing about 11 hectares and grew exponentially over centuries to the vast expanse of 132 hectares in present times. Its growth was not merely physical but also in terms of its significance in botanical science and conservation. The initial years were focused on the cultivation of medicinal plants, with King George III contributing generously to expand the collection of species.

As time passed, Kew Gardens witnessed numerous changes, a noteworthy one being the shift from a royal to a public garden. This transition in the late 19th century was emblematic of Kew’s role in botanical science and education. Its original role of growing plants for medicinal use gradually expanded to include research and education. This evolution transformed Kew into a world-renowned centre to house an extensive collection of plant species and a seed bank to conserve endangered plants.

Over the centuries, Kew Gardens has seen many facelifts and additions such as the Palm House, Temperate House and more recently the Davies Alpine House. These structures not only elevated the visual appeal of Kew but also served the purpose of housing diverse plant species from different climatic zones. Today, the flourishing institution stands as an epitome of conservation, its evolution mirroring the larger changes in our environmental awareness and understanding.

Let’s get the formalities over and done with. I am a Certified Life Coach, NLP Practitioner and NLP Master Practitioner, a professional member of ANLP, and a member of ICF.

I have a lot of life experiences under my belt. I have hitchhiked around Texas as a youngster, visited many countries, and mentored others in the field of education. I also ran my own business providing early years childcare for over 20 years, one of my greatest professional achievements to date.

But hitting my 50s a few years ago, was a pivotal moment. I felt I had lost my sense of identity and to some extent my health.