Welcome toÂ
Dutch Farm
A Sanctuary for Wellbeing and Connection
Dutch Farm is an urban farm in Garston, Liverpool, created on land that was once derelict industrial space.
The project began in 2011 with the aim of creating a place where people could spend time outdoors, take part in practical activity and experience the benefits that nature, routine and shared work can bring.
Over the years the farm has grown into an important part of our work across the Liverpool City Region. Many of the people who spend time there are experiencing homelessness, recovering from addiction, rebuilding after domestic abuse or navigating challenges with their mental health.
The farm provides a calm outdoor environment where people can step away from crisis and take part in meaningful activity. Spending time at the farm helps introduce routine, rebuild confidence and create opportunities for connection with others.
How the Farm Developed
In 2011, we secured three and a half acres of unused land in Garston that had previously been a landfill site.
What began as an idea to create a green space for practical activity has developed over time into a working urban farm that supports people across several services.
As the project evolved, activities expanded beyond food growing to include wellbeing sessions, creative work and practical skills.
The farm continues to develop in response to the interests and needs of the people who spend time there.
Activities at Dutch Farm
Across the site there are raised beds, polytunnels, chickens and shared outdoor spaces where people take part in a wide range of activities.
Food growing plays an important role in the life of the farm.
Participants plant, nurture and harvest fruit and vegetables, learning practical skills while spending time outdoors. Cooking and sharing food together also forms part of the experience, helping create a sense of collaboration and community.
Alongside growing and cooking, people take part in arts and crafts, wellbeing sessions and practical workshops. Activities have included bike maintenance, basic first aid training and creative projects, all designed to help people develop skills and confidence at their own pace.
Volunteering opportunities also form part of the farm’s work and people who spend time there can gain experience, build references and take steps towards education, training or employment.
Wellbeing and Personal Development
Spending time outdoors and working with nature can have a powerful impact on wellbeing and the farm provides space for mindfulness, reflection and creative activity alongside practical work.
For many people, Dutch Farm offers the opportunity to rebuild confidence and reconnect with others after long periods of isolation. The environment encourages participation without pressure, allowing people to contribute in ways that feel comfortable for them.
Remembering those we have lost
Dutch Farm is also home to a Homeless Memorial Garden created to remember people who have lost their lives while experiencing homelessness. The garden provides a place where people can pause, reflect and remember individuals who are often reduced to statistics.
The site also includes the UK’s first memorial wall dedicated to the pets of people from the homeless community, recognising the important role those relationships play in people’s lives and the grief that can follow their loss.
Working with the community
Dutch Farm maintains close connections with the surrounding community in Garston and across the Liverpool City Region.
Local charities, schools and businesses regularly take part in volunteering days, community projects and site improvements. These partnerships help maintain the farm while also strengthening the connection between the space and the wider community.
Looking Ahead
Dutch Farm continues to evolve as new opportunities emerge and plans for the future include improving facilities on site so that more activities can take place throughout the year. We also want to develop indoor space that can support wellbeing sessions, training and one to one support.
The purpose of the farm remains consistent though. It provides a welcoming outdoor environment where people can take part in practical activity, connect with others and begin to rebuild confidence and stability in their lives.
Get Involved
Dutch Farm exists to be a place of hope and support for people who need it most. It’s a safe and welcoming space where individuals are met with understanding, encouragement and the chance to move forward.
Everyone deserves to feel safe, valued and optimistic about their future. At Dutch Farm, we work alongside people to build confidence, develop skills and create opportunities for positive change.
There are several ways you can support the work we do. Feel free to get in touch to find out more.
Volunteer
Help with the upkeep of the farm, support maintenance projects or spend time with people who benefit from the space.