Our Earthworkers

Earthworks offers weekday placements to people aged 18 years and upwards who have a learning disability, who are known as Earthworkers. Our Earthworkers receive work experience and informal training in horticulture, ecology and conservation, small-scale construction, woodwork and crafts.

Earthworks offers weekday placements to people with learning disabilities, aged 18 and up. Known as Earthworkers, these individuals receive work experience and informal training in horticulture, ecology and conservation, small-scale construction, woodwork and crafts.

At Earthworks we work and learn together, as people of all abilities. Earthworkers and volunteers help in maintaining our beautiful garden, cultivating fruit and vegetables in our market gardens and preparing our produce for sale to the public. They also help to build wildlife habitats around our meadow, ponds and woodland.

Alongside volunteers, Earthworkers also contribute ideas to quarterly Project Group meetings. Through staff and trustees, this feedback helps to inform how our organisation develops.

Getting involved with Earthworks also provides you with the opportunity to represent our organisation at community groups, event stalls and even the local radio. Our Earthworkers have a voice that is respected and appreciated in the wider community.

However, spending time at Earthworks isn’t all work! Many friendships have been formed over the years as Earthworkers, volunteers and staff, swap stories and jokes and have fun at get-togethers such as our Bonfire Night celebration and Christmas party.

If you or someone you know would like to become an Earthworker, you can find out more about joining here.

A typical day at Earthworks

Although the jobs change, each day follows the same basic structure.

Whether you spend your day planting a single onion seed or painting a whole fence panel, your contribution to Earthworks always makes a difference.

Our staff and volunteers are always on hand to help Earthworkers enjoy their time at Earthworks and develop new skills.

9:30 am - Earthworks Opens

Earthworkers and volunteers arrive at the site ready to start the first work session of the day. Staff members help people to get ready and support the group to start various jobs and activities.

11:00 am - Morning Break

After a busy morning it's time for tea! If the weather is nice we can sit out in the garden, otherwise we can warm up in the cosy Warren building beside the log burning stove. Everyone enjoys a cuppa and a chat together.

11:30 am - Back to work

The second work session of the day begins as the group return to their activities or start new ones.

1:00 pm - Lunch Break

Everyone has no doubt worked up an appetite following a busy morning out in the gardens! Now we can tuck into our packed lunches that we have brought from home, Earthworks will provide another hot drink. This is a nice time to socialise and have a catch-up with our friends too.

1:30 pm - Afternoon Work Session

Back to work again! We might have a job to finish or we could start something new.

3:00 pm - Home Time

Earthworks closes at 3pm. Earthworks staff help the group to get ready to leave. Some people like to fill out a daily diary sheet to record the jobs that they have worked on during the day then we change out of our muddy boots and make our way home.