Sustainable Church Flowers - Hampshire

Sustainable Church Flowers (SCF) is a movement within the Church of England - 'from the parish' - founded in 2019 in Harpley, Worcestershire.

It is a growing group of friends, passionate about sustainability in our churches, cathedrals and churchyards, who are gently campaigning for change.

Through a combination of an ambassador network, social media campaigns, workshops and good old fashioned evangelism SCF is encouraging change by providing information and support to churches and cathedrals both around the United Kingdom and further afield.

SCF encourages the use of locally grown flowers and foliage:

• grown without the use of harmful pesticides and herbicides
• packaged without the use of unnecessary plastics
• grown by people who are paid a liveable wage and are justly treated
• never bleached or dyed
• non-invasive species
• never arranged in floral foam.

SCF emboldens floral decorators to rediscover sustainable ways to arrange using mechanics such as chicken wire, flower frogs/pin frogs and other natural structural supports.

We also commend the frequently overlooked thing that flowers really love - water in a vase!

Now is the time to bring floristry back to the way nature intended it.

My Role as an SCF Ambassador

Living the Vision of Sustainable Church Flowers

As an ambassador for Sustainable Church Flowers (SCF), I proudly represent a grassroots movement within the Church of England that champions environmentally responsible flower arranging. My aim is to encourage churches, cathedrals, and communities of faith to embrace foam-free floral practices, helping us all move closer to our shared goal of carbon net zero by 2030.

Embracing and Sharing Foam-Free Techniques

I have a thorough understanding and working knowledge of foam-free floral techniques.

These include:

Natural and compostable materials** such as willow, sustainably harvested moss, twigs, stones, and bamboo.

Reusable mechanics like metal chicken wire, floral frogs, and pinholders.

I actively use these methods myself and share them with local flower arrangers, church groups, and guilds. Whether through informal mentoring or structured demonstrations, I’m here to show that sustainable alternatives are both beautiful and practical.

Advocating for Local and Seasonal Flowers

A key part of my role is to promote the use of British-grown and locally sourced flowers.
I believe in working with the rhythms of nature, using what is in season to create arrangements that reflect the richness and abundance of natures creation.

Upholding SCF Values with Integrity

I fully endorse and uphold the core principles of SCF, as detailed on the website and in the SCF Magazine. This includes our firm stance against the use of any single-use floral foam substitutes, even those marketed as eco-friendly, such as:

* Agra-Wool
* Phoam
* So-called 'eco-foam' products

These alternatives, while better than traditional foam in some respects, still carry their own environmental costs and are not aligned with SCF’s commitment to lasting sustainability.

Supporting the Church Community

My role is more than advocacy—it's about walking with others on the journey. I provide encouragement, guidance, and hands-on support as churches transition to foam-free methods. Whether that means offering a workshop, answering questions, or connecting people with local resources, I’m here to help.

Sustainable flower arranging isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing differently, with purpose and joy.

Join the Change

If you’re a church flower arranger, part of a guild, or simply interested in making worship more sustainable, I’d love to connect. Together, we can ensure our churches are places of beauty, worship, and responsible stewardship.