The Trust was formed in 1993, following changes made by the Health Authority to the way in which people with learning disabilities would be managed. It was clear to our founding trustees that these people would be disadvantaged and without any support to help them maximise or achieve their individual potential.

At the beginning the Trust attempted to mirror the activities that were provided by the Health Authority for the Learning Disabled. This was carried out on 70 acres of land at Langdon and the produce was sold in our on-site farm shop. However, whilst this model was successful for a number of years we became aware that to meet the changing client requirements we would need to focus on providing basic education & Working for Life Skills.

Using a timely donation we were able to purchase our current seven acre site and commenced developing the required infrastructure. 

In conjunction with Social Services we developed an exciting plan which included providing quality training to enable our Attendees to reach their full potential.

Initially, we mainly provided horticultural work but now we offer other related activities (including handling machinery) & all the Attendees are encouraged to participate fully. 

 

DGT is now recognised by the local Social Services as the main provider of this sort of activity in South Devon.

 

We are enormously grateful for all the donations received over the years which has enabled us to develop Dawlish Gardens Trust.* 

* Lankelly Foundation, The Henry Smith Charity, Lloyds TSB, Claire Milne Trust, Mrs Mary Thornton, Mr and Mrs E Sear, Mrs Florence Parsons, True Colours Trust, Big Lottery Fund, J. Paul Getty, Brownlees Trust, Hoare's Bank, Elmgrant Trust. Norman Trust, Glendinnings, Four Acre Trust, Sir Jules Thorne. Garfield Weston.