EARTH GARDENS (a Charitable Trust) was established in 1985 and is situated rurally on 2 hectares at 57 Sandy Road, Meeanee. It provides a day service for all disabilities, delivering a Vocational Training Service for the clients who attend. Clients learn work ethics, employment skills, work skills, and - in achieving these goals - develop motivation and self-esteem.

Clients are work-assessed during the time that they are at Earth Gardens and, when they are ready, they will either move on into employment or further education.

Earth Gardens focuses on "increasing participation for people with disabilities in employment, and to increase the participation of people with disabilities in communities". The aim is to give clients the necessary work-related skills and work ethics to gain either part-time or full-time employment.

Community Participation and Voluntary Work are also concepts which are embraced as other stepping-stones towards employment.

In the past year, Earth Gardens has placed 15 people into employment, and at this point all have stayed in their positions. As one client said after he had obtained a lawnmowing position: "I feel like a normal person these days - I now get paid and I have to pay tax!"

Earth Gardens encourages employers to meet and trial any of our clients as regards work-experience, so that they can see if that person would be suitable (a mutually-suitable trial period can be arranged).

On the monthly programme on Radio Kidnappers, you will hear all about what's currently happening out at Earth Gardens, as well as interviews with staff and clients.

Please don't hesitate to contact either Angela, Rhonda or Geoff if you have any questions. The telephone-number is 834 4010, or you can send an email. You can also visit the Earth Gardens website.



Ange & Geoff bring us the monthly Earth Gardens bulletin