Earthworks St Albans - People and Activities

Trainees

Earthworks offers weekday placements to people aged 16 years and upwards who have a learning disability and / or mental health problem. Our trainees receive work experience and informal training in horticulture, ecology and conservation, small-scale construction, wood work and crafts.

All trainees are instrumental in maintaining our beautiful garden, cultivating the fruit and vegetables in our market garden and allotments, selling to the public and building habitats around our ponds, meadow and woodland. They also go out as the Garden Contract team to work in the gardens and allotments of local people and schools and to clear local footpaths. Trainees never stand on the sidelines – they pitch in and get their hands dirty come rain or shine!

They also help Earthworks move forward. Trainees, along with volunteers, contribute their observations and ideas to Project Group meetings. Their feedback is taken to the Director, Management Committee and Trustees by an elected Trainee Representative who attends all management meetings.

Not that it’s all work, work, work. Earthworks is as much about leisure and recreation as keeping the place ticking over. Many friendships have been formed over the years as the trainees, volunteers and staff swap stories and jokes or party away on Bonfire Night and at the Christmas bash.

If you or someone you know would like to become a trainee please see the Get Involved section of the website or contact us.

School Children

Over the past few years, Earthworks has run special projects to allow local children with learning disabilities and special educational needs to learn more about gardening and nature and indirectly improve their self-confidence. We have devised a range of successful activities which have included: tending for plants, scarecrow workshops, construction of a bug hotel and bug boxes, making bird food holders and pressing flowers so that the children can use them to decorate working clocks that they also build.

Volunteers

Earthworks is blessed with a very dedicated team of volunteers who work on site in all weathers and give up their weekends to run fundraising stalls or to help out at events. Without their drive, enthusiasm and commitment we would not be able to provide such a high quality service. This is not just “weasel words”, they work extremely hard without complaint and always remain upbeat, patient and enthusiastic.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please see the Get Involved section of the website or contact us.

Staff

Earthworks has grown from humble beginnings and now has a staff of seven people. These include:

Bianca Badham (Craft and Welfare Co-Ordinator)
Fiona Gulliver (Administrator)
Philip Maitland (Project Leader)
Alexandra McCann (Fundraiser)
Sarah Panter (Horticultural Co-Ordinator)
Stephen Pike (Project Co-ordinator)
Patrick Rushmere (Project Co-Ordinator)

Staff vacancies do arise from time to time so please keep visiting the Get Involved section of the website.

Working for Earthworks is immensely rewarding but very exhausting! As an organisation, Earthworks St Albans is extremely fortunate to have committed, compassionate staff who put the welfare of trainees at the top of their list of priorities.

Trustees and Management Committee

The Earthworks Management Committee meets on a monthly basis to discuss and determine business strategy and to consider new projects, initiatives and opportunities.

The Committee comprises Trustees who discharge legal responsibilities for the charity and Committee members who have joined the group to share their professional or personal expertise. All work collaboratively to ensure that Earthworks continues to provide the best possible service.

If you would be interested in joining the Management Committee, please take a look at the Get Involved section of the website.

You, the people of St Albans and further afield