Our Story

My name is Ursula Stone, and I created The Flower Bank in 2016 while studying floristry at Capel Manor Horticultural College as a mature student. I was shocked by the huge amount of waste I saw in the floral industry and wanted to combat it by rescuing flowers that would otherwise be thrown away. I started by arranging my first bouquets from donated flowers at my kitchen table and my vision was simple: to bring joy and beauty to people who could least afford it. My small scale operation quickly grew into a zero waste, pay as you feel community florist. I take flowers that are being discarded from supermarkets and retailers and, with a bit of expert alchemy, transform them into beautiful gifts for the community. Also working with local companies to collect surplus flowers from office displays, events and weddings.

 

My journey quickly blossomed. In 2017, I secured early funding from UnLtd and an Award for All from the National Lottery to create a cutting garden in N15. I also won a Festival of Learning Award for Social Impact at the House of Commons. That same year, I began working with young offenders in Haringey, who helped me create and deliver weekly floral designs to care homes, day centres, and community buildings across North London. Since then, I've expanded this programme to include young offenders in Barnet, with plans to create intergenerational projects at local day centres.

 

By 2018, I registered The Flower Bank as a Community Interest Company (CIC), received a start-up grant from Barnet Council, and appointed six trustees. A generous £30,000 pledge from the Mayor of London boosted a crowdfunding campaign on Spacehive, which brought in 205 backers. The Flower Bank also received a high commendation at the Haringey Expo and was featured on Radio 4’s You & Yours.

 

In 2019, I signed a lease on a new shop and opened my first pop-up store, which serves as The Flower Bank's community hub. Here, I hosted seasonal workshops, children's activities during school holidays. We now grow our own herbs and flowers, with a goal to enter a few categories in Tottenham's annual flower and produce show. I also ran flower clubs for residents at homes and day centres in Barnet and Haringey, where to the residents I was known as “the flower lady.” We would bring young people along to help with these sessions. In a unique initiative covered by the BBC, I ‘flower bombed’ public places like park benches and bus stops, leaving free bouquets for people to take home and enjoy.

 

This journey started at my kitchen table and I am humbled by the support we've received. Thank you.