Garden Design Diploma students Helen Swan and Lucy Chapman unveil their garden, 'The Medicinal Garden' for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity at BBC Gardeners World Live 2025.

We caught up with Lucy ahead of the show…

Can you tell us a little bit about your journey into Garden Design? What initially sparked your interest in this field?

I’m currently studying Garden Design at the KLC School of Design, where I’m exploring how well-considered outdoor spaces can support everyday life and foster a deeper connection with the natural world.

My journey into garden design has evolved from a longstanding interest in how environments shape the way we feel, behave, and connect with others. With an MSc in Occupational Psychology, I spent over 15 years leading people and change strategies in major UK organisations—work that gave me a deep understanding of the relationship between space, wellbeing, and human experience.

Although I didn’t set out to work with plants, I grew up around gardeners and green spaces. Over time, that quiet influence took hold. After the birth of my first child, I decided to retrain in horticulture, earning a Diploma in the Principles and Practices of Horticulture. I gained hands-on experience volunteering at Hever Castle, took part in the WRAG Scheme on a private estate in Kent, and now work professionally as a gardener alongside my design studies.

Garden design brings together the practical and the creative in a way that really resonates with me. I’m particularly interested in designing gardens that are both beautiful and purposeful—spaces that reflect the lives of the people who use them and offer calm, connection, and meaning.

Why KLC School of Design?

What drew me to pursue my studies at KLC School of Design was its strong reputation within the industry and the consistently high standard of student work I’d seen showcased online. The quality and clarity of the portfolios stood out to me—demonstrating both creative thinking and technical precision.

My decision was also shaped by personal experience. While volunteering on the National Autistic Society Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, I had the opportunity to work with Humaira Ikram, Subject Leader on the Garden Design Diploma. Her guidance, professionalism, and passion for garden design gave me a clear sense of the calibre of teaching and support offered at the school—and ultimately helped confirm that KLC was the right fit for me.

How did this opportunity happen? What has the process been like so far?

The opportunity arose when a former tutor in the landscaping industry approached me to support the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity with their show garden at Gardeners’ World Live. I joined the project as a designer, working alongside fellow student Helen Swan, and together we developed the concept and planting design, sourced the plants—growing some of them myself—and managed the delivery and planting of the garden on site.

We took on the project on a voluntary basis, driven by a shared commitment to the charity and the opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause. It has been an intense but hugely rewarding experience. Being involved at every stage, from initial concept through to final planting, has offered valuable insight into the real-world challenges, logistics, and creative decisions involved in delivering a show garden.

The Medicinal Garden is a living tribute to the work of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity. Two curved landforms sweep and rise like rotor wash, symbolising how a single incident can reshape a life. A path guides visitors between them, with seating for pause and reflection. Rooted in local red sandstone, the garden uses sustainable materials and embraces imperfection to reflect resilience, healing, and lived experience.
 

Find out more about our Garden Design Diploma