Darwin Nurseries - originally from Ida Darwin Hospital - is a non-self-profiting (everything circles back into the NHS), unique therapeutic horticulture project and Farm Shop, owned by the NHS, that has been helping adults, and animals, for almost 30 years.
Now they are celebrating having received International recognition for their permaculture ethos and ongoing commitment to sustainability with the Green Apple Helping the Environment - the Gold Award.
Hidden amongst the woodland and brambles, on the outskirts of Cambridge, is Darwin Nurseries - open on Mondays to Saturdays between 9:30am and 4:30pm, and 10am to 3:30pm on Sundays.
The 7.5 acre oasis is home to a menagerie of animals, orchards and their thriving farm shop and, maybe more unexpectedly, a lively workshop where adults with learning disabilities and mental health challenges participate in education, personal development and social activities, while also promoting equality and awareness which is unquestionably important.
Co-workers are provided with real work experience including; animal husbandry, cultivating vegetables, planting hanging baskets, and selling all their produce in the shop, as well as preparing and running day time events such as ‘Apple Day’ and birthdays for the beloved animals.
They pride themselves in only selling locally grown and seasonal produce and even their Christmas trees are all regionally grown in Suffolk to reduce their carbon footprint.
Furthermore, everything they grow and sell uses completely peat-free compost and harvested rainwater, and all used animal bedding and surplus natural waste is composted and added back into the soil for the next growing cycle!
Help is always warmly welcomed at Darwin Nurseries.
Volunteers are crucial in keeping this social enterprise up and running in its current glory, different skill-sets and ideas are greatly valued and anyone over 18 willing to volunteer, be it for an hour a week or more, will be much appreciated.
