Catrine's National Autistic Society (NAS) hub will be furnished with a new show garden following the conclusion of next year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
NAS Scotland were selected to have a show garden at the 2024 event.
The garden aims to explore ‘masking’, which describes how autistic people consciously or unconsciously hide their autistic characteristics, in order to fit in and feel more accepted.
The National Autistic Society Garden will be created by designer and botanist, Sophie Parmenter, and Dido Milne, Director of CSK Architects.
The show garden is sponsored by Project Giving Back, a unique grant-making charity that provides funding for gardens for good causes at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Following RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024, the garden will be relocated to one of their supported living sites at Catrine Bank alongside the river Ayr.
There is a large team collaborating on the project, including autistic people and people who have family or friends who are autistic.
Autistic people are involved in developing the message and ethos of the project, as well as the creation of the garden itself.
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Caroline Stevens, Chief Executive of our charity, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen to have a show garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024, and are incredibly grateful to Project Giving Back.
“Our garden aims to explore ‘masking’, which describes how autistic people consciously or unconsciously hide their autistic characteristics, in order to fit in and feel more accepted.
"We hope our garden will enable us to build understanding of autism and masking within the wider public, but also reach out to and open conversations with autistic people and their families.”
Designer Sophie Parmenter added: “The three outer spaces in our garden, each with its own character, accommodate a type of social activity: a large, covered space for a family or friends; a more formal space for colleagues; and a more intimate corner for a quiet conversation with a partner.
"Each space is defined by a cork and timber screen - or ‘mask’ – which together create a fourth area, a sunken, protected sanctuary at the heart of the garden.
"This sheltered central garden becomes a metaphor for the inner mind. "
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