Our story
At Earthworks, we support people with learning disabilities, alongside volunteers, to manage 3.5 acres of beautiful eco-gardens in St Albans, through the practice of social and therapeutic horticulture.
We grow fruit and vegetables using organic methods and build wildlife habitats using traditional techniques. Over the years, we have transformed waste land into beautiful eco-garden; maintaining a focus on sustainability in everything we do.
Our pilot project, Earthworks on Wheels, empowers Earthworkers to help the wider community by using the skills they have learned at Earthworks to care for gardens belonging to vulnerable people.
Extensive consultation with service users, carers and social services revealed land-based activity to be the most popular creative occupation. After five years’ preparation and consultation, we leased a two-acre site of waste ground in Hixberry Lane, St Albans from the District Council.
Since 1995, our Earthworkers, supported by staff and volunteers, have transformed waste land into 3.5 acres of beautiful and flourishing eco-gardens including habitat, production and sensory spaces as well as a purpose built eco-building. Supported by volunteers, local schools and community groups, we are people of all abilities learning and working together. We are involved in a number of projects both onsite and in the community.