St Albans Greener Together is all about learning from the stories of others in the District. In this article we will be sharing the work our member Earthworks as they celebrate their 30th year of operation! What an incredible achievement…
‘Earthworks St Albans Turns 30!
This year, Earthworks St Albans proudly celebrates its 30th anniversary! Founded in 1995 in response to the Care in the Community Act, our award-winning charity has been dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive, and nurturing space for people of all abilities to thrive.
At Earthworks St Albans, we bring people together through nature. We support individuals with learning disabilities, acquired brain injuries, autism, and mental health needs, working alongside dedicated staff and volunteers to cultivate and maintain 3.5 acres of eco-gardens in St Albans
A Space to Grow, Learn, and Connect
Our eco-site is more than just a garden—it’s a vibrant, hands-on learning space. Together, we grow fruit, vegetables, and ornamental plants, build wildlife habitats, and practice sustainable gardening. Through social and therapeutic horticulture, we provide meaningful activities, encourage social interaction, and promote well-being in a green and peaceful environment.
Our programmes focus on developing skills, boosting confidence, fostering friendships, and enhancing physical and mental health. Sustainability, organic principles, and traditional countryside skills are at the heart of everything we do.
We offer work experience and informal training in horticulture, ecology, conservation, small-scale construction, woodworking, and crafts. For us, social inclusion and environmental sustainability go hand in hand. That’s why we welcome community groups to our gardens and run Garden Clubs and Open Days, giving everyone the chance to experience the benefits of green care. Our approach is rooted in the recognised, evidence-based practice of social and therapeutic horticulture.
We invite the public to visit and purchase our homegrown produce from Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM. Be sure to look out for our Weekend Open Gardens throughout the year! You can also find us at the St Albans Farmers’ Market each month, where we sell fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, and handcrafted goods.
Key Projects
Our community members—who proudly call themselves Earthworkers—play an active role in co-creating our projects. They take pride in shaping new spaces and activities, knowing their contributions will have a lasting impact for years to come.
Earthworks on Wheels – Taking our mission beyond our gardens, Earthworks on Wheels enables Earthworkers to bring their skills into the community. They undertake gardening projects for local organizations, promoting inclusion and environmental stewardship while gaining hands-on experience.
Rainwater Conservation – Sustainability is at the heart of what we do. We have significantly expanded our rainwater conservation efforts by installing an 18,000-litre underground tank to support our eco-gardens more efficiently.
Sensory Garden – A peaceful retreat designed to engage all five senses, our Sensory Garden provides a quiet and relaxing space for everyone to enjoy. Built with sustainability in mind, we repurposed and recycled materials that would have otherwise gone to landfill, reinforcing our commitment to environmental responsibility.
Join us in celebrating 30 years of inclusion, sustainability, and community. We look forward to welcoming you to our gardens’
A huge thank you to the Earthworks team for sharing the story of their many years of excellent work for the wellbeing and sustainability of our community here. If you would like to find out more and get involved please visit their website www.earthworksstalbans.co.uk and follow their social media!