Who we are & what we do

Sunnyside Rural Trust was founded in 1990 as a small, horticultural project for young people and adults with learning disabilities. It is now a thriving charity and social enterprise, offering training and work experience for over 170 vulnerable people in the local community.

We train people with learning disabilities to acquire skills in a number of rural and retail activities. These include beekeeping, looking after chickens, growing a wide range of plants and produce, landscaping and garden maintenance. We have a focus on the full “plot to plate” cycle, from sowing seeds and nurturing plants to making produce to sell in the farm shop or market. We do all of this as environmentally friendly as possible.

Our training and work experience take place across Dacorum in Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted and Northchurch in a range of tranquil settings. These include ancient woodland, allotments, orchards, greenhouses and cafés and farm shops.

Sunnyside employs 36 full and part time staff and has 37 volunteers.