Darwin farm shop about us
About Us
Encouraging growth
Darwin Nurseries is a horticulture project and farm shop where adults with learning disabilities and mental health challenges gain the skills,independence and confidence to take an active role in the community.
Everything we do is about empowering and enabling co-workers to achieve their personal goals and explore their potential.
Cultivating confidence
Our focus is not on disability but on the ability of each individual to build their independence and gain work and social skills.
Co-workers engage in a wide range of activities at Darwin. Activities range from animal husbandry,caring for our pigs, chickens, goats and rabbits to horticulture and farming,making hanging baskets and potting on seasonal plants plus sowing ,growing and caring for produce that will be sold in the shop and many conservation projects.
Community
Our thriving farm shop is at the heart of the community and is staffed by our co-workers.We have more than 25 years' experience serving Cambridge and surrounding villages. Here we provide real work experience covering all aspects of working in retail,from customer service and till work to designing seasonal shop displays and ordering stock.
So what is therapeutic horticulture?
Working with plants, whether in the greenhouse or in the raised beds, is a wonderful way of improving physical and mental health issues. We provide a safe place where our co-workers can develop social and practical skills regardless of their age or disability.
Horticulture has many amazing benefits and we see first-hand how it can transform lives. Physical health can improve through exercise and strengthening muscles and simply making people feel better for being outside.
Mental health is improved in many ways including giving people a purpose and by setting and reaching achievable goals thereby dramatically boosting self esteem; by acquiring new skills and maybe improving the chances of finding employment; by making co-workers feel more socially connected and thus less isolated.
If you think you know anyone that might benefit from a placement at Darwin Nurseries, or would like to come for a look around to gain more information about the work we do here, please contact us via the following link. Contact us .
Volunteers
Our volunteers are a vital part of Darwin Nurseries. They bring ideas, skills and enthusiasm that are invaluable. Many of the projects we have undertaken would not have been possible without our team of dedicated volunteers.
If you think you would like to volunteer with us be it an hour or two a week or whatever you can do, either helping staff to support co-workers or working in the farm shop, call us for more details.