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Wellbeing Research Findings emphasise urgent need for action

May 23, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Wellbeing Research Findings emphasise urgent need for action: In Spring 2024, Perennial partnered with the University of Exeter’s Social Innovation Group (SIG) to conduct a major new study to better understand the emotional, physical and financial wellbeing of those who work with plants, trees, flowers and grass, and the ways they can be better supported. […]

Webb Launches High-Performance Garden Shredder

May 22, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Webb Launches High-Performance Garden Shredder: British garden machinery brand Webb has expanded its electric tools portfolio with the introduction of the WEISWB Electric Garden Shredder – a high-performance 2500W impact shredder designed to make garden waste reduction fast, safe, and efficient. Ideal for medium-sized gardens, the shredder combines robust cutting power with a compact, user-friendly design. […]

Wellbeing Research Findings emphasise urgent need for action

May 23, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Webb Launches High-Performance Garden Shredder

May 22, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

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Wellbeing Research Findings emphasise urgent need for action

May 23, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Wellbeing Research Findings emphasise urgent need for action: In Spring 2024, Perennial partnered with the University of Exeter’s Social Innovation Group (SIG) to conduct a major new study to better understand the emotional, physical and financial wellbeing of those who work with plants, trees, flowers and grass, and the ways they can be better supported.

Building on the findings of the 2021 survey, this new research gives an updated, and more in-depth view of the challenges people in horticulture are facing, many of which will come as no surprise to those working in the industry.

Wellbeing Research Findings emphasise urgent need for action

The findings are clear

Horticulture professionals continue to experience serious and sustained wellbeing challenges. The research, based on a comprehensive survey of people working across the sector, highlights worrying trends in physical discomfort, mental wellbeing, and financial confidence.

Key statistics include:

52% of people have a health condition that is expected to last more than 12 months – 12% higher than in 2021

84% of people told us that they had experienced back and joint pain in the last 6 weeks and 51% of people didn’t seek advice

83% of people within horticulture scored low or average for their wellbeing using a recognised scale ¹

And 32% stated they do not have an emergency fund, with 1 in 10 saving no money at all, pointing to the persistent financial stress faced by many across the industry.

These results highlight the urgent need for action across the industry, as Julia Hayne, Director of Services at Perennial explains:

“The scale of the very real challenges those working in horticulture are facing will not surprise people across the industry. We are living through a period of significant social and political change that has the potential to impact us all. With uncertainties about the future, people’s ability to manage the everyday challenges is being put to the test, from rising prices, increased job insecurity and longer health care waiting lists.

“Ill health is the leading reason why people seek our help. This often means people have to take time off work, which impacts their income, their ability to pay their bills and their family life. In some cases, it means they are unable to return to the job they love.

“Our Wellbeing Research provides the industry with a clear insight into the causes and impact of poor wellbeing. It highlights how individuals across the sector feel about their wellbeing and the issues that are important to them. Over the last three years we have led targeted interventions to improve the health and wellbeing of the industry and this work is beginning to move the dial, in areas of physical and mental health. But we are aware much, much more needs to be done.

“It is essential that we develop an industry-wide understanding of the challenges people face through life and come together to identify real world solutions that make a long-term difference. As a charity we can’t do this alone – collaboration is essential if we want to achieve meaningful change.”

This is further emphasised by Prof Michael Leyshon, Professor (Associate) in Social Geography and Dr Shukru Esmene, Research Fellow, both from the University of Exeter.

“Perennial’s Health and Wellbeing Survey 2024 has shed light on key issues that workers in the horticulture sector experience. The issues of particular interest, which were also prominent in Perennial’s 2021 survey results, include the reporting of lower life satisfaction and higher prevalence of low or medium mental health scores compared to national averages. These areas need sector-wide action to address and will take time to solve.”

Take action now

Perennial is committed to working in collaboration with the sector to act on these findings, but it will need everyone in the industry to take action.

Some steps to get started for a healthier, more supported horticulture community include: –

Download, read and share the Wellbeing Research Report.
Hold conversations in your organisation about the ways you will take action.
Join Perennial’s free Mental Wellbeing in the Workplace webinars throughout May-November.
Make everyone aware of the charity’s free advice, information and support available for their health, money, career and life challenges
Tell Perennial what you’re doing or plan to do to inform and inspire others.

Visit perennial.org.uk/research for more information on all the above and take action today.

1 WEMWBS (2020). WEMWBS: 14-item vs 7-item scale. Warwick Medical School and University of Edinburgh. www.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/med/research/platform/wemwbs/about/wemwbsvsswemwbs/

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Webb Launches High-Performance Garden Shredder

May 22, 2025/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Webb Launches High-Performance Garden Shredder: British garden machinery brand Webb has expanded its electric tools portfolio with the introduction of the WEISWB Electric Garden Shredder – a high-performance 2500W impact shredder designed to make garden waste reduction fast, safe, and efficient.

Ideal for medium-sized gardens, the shredder combines robust cutting power with a compact, user-friendly design. Its 2500W motor drives steel blades at an impressive 4500rpm, effortlessly handling branches up to 45mm in diameter. The result is fine, nutrient-rich mulch that’s ideal for composting or improving soil quality in flowerbeds and vegetable plots.

Webb Launches High-Performance Garden Shredder

“This is a strong addition to the Webb range and perfectly timed as consumers increasingly seek electric garden tools that deliver performance without compromise,” says Mark Moseley, Sales & Marketing Director at Handy. “The WEISWB has been developed to support garden clearance across seasons, providing a dependable and commercially attractive solution for our retail partners.”

Featuring a practical design, the WEISWB includes a 40-litre collection box to minimise downtime, a removable hopper for easy feeding, and a large on/off switch for straightforward operation. For added safety, a locking lever prevents access to cutting components during use, while built-in overload protection automatically cuts power if the machine becomes jammed.

Portable, with large integrated wheels, the shredder is easy to move and store, making it a smart choice for gardeners with limited space. Suitable for beginners or experienced garden enthusiasts, the WEISWB offers a reliable, low-maintenance solution for year-round garden clearance.

Retail-ready with eye-catching packaging and full POS support available, the WEISWB is available now for trade orders.

To learn more about the Webb range or to purchase at trade pricing, visit: https://webbgardenpower.co.uk/become-a-webb-stockist/

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Wellbeing Research Findings emphasise urgent need for action

Webb Launches High-Performance Garden Shredder

Wellbeing Research Findings emphasise urgent need for action

Webb Launches High-Performance Garden Shredder

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Wellbeing Research Findings emphasise urgent need for action

Webb Launches High-Performance Garden Shredder

Webb Launches High-Performance Garden Shredder: British garden machinery brand Webb has expanded its electric tools portfolio with the introduction of the WEISWB Electric Garden Shredder – a high-performance 2500W impact shredder designed to make garden waste reduction fast, safe, and efficient.

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