Down to Earth Project

24/02/2026

Working with young people?
Or adults from diverse backgrounds?
Or maybe you'd like to a do a team away day?
We have some amazing programmes available at Down to Earth - you can find all our programmes here:
https://downtoearthproject.org.uk/programmes-experiences/
ACT Training GCS Training YMCA Swansea Ethnic Minorities & Youth Support Team - EYST Wales Welcome To Our Woods Black Mountains College Swansea Bay NHS Swansea Council for Voluntary Service

Down to Earth, established 2006, is an award winning social enterprise with a proven track record in supporting people to bring about positive change in their lives through meaningful outdoor activity.

24/02/2026

There are many positives from our work in Treherbert with Welcome To Our Woods and Black Mountains College - this article in The Guardian shares just how radical the vision has been with Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resources Wales

The National Lottery Community Fund/ Cronfa Gymunedol y Loteri Genedlaethol The National Lottery Community Fund

In an edited extract from her latest book, Hazel Sheffield sets out a new blueprint for community stewardship

24/02/2026

We've been working with young people from ACT Training for many years so it was lovely to have this recognised at their Annual Awards recently, as a "Valued Partner".

We hugely value all of our participants, and behind them always stands the referral agency and partners who enable those participants to access our programmes.

We're looking forward to working more with ACT Training in 2026

What a night at the Success Through Skills Awards, where we celebrated the incredible talent driving work-based learning in Wales!

From individuals to organisations, we honoured those shaping the future through skills, development, and real impact. 💪

Congratulations to all the winners.

Gold Winners:
JGW+ Engagement Learner of the Year: Courtney Ali
JGW+ Advancement Learner of the Year: Logan Langmead
Foundation Apprentice of the Year: Olivia Ampleford
Apprentice of the Year: Maddy Groves
Higher Apprentice of the Year: Jess Poole
Essential Skills Learner of the Year: Ifeoluwa Anipupo
Small Employer: MS Group
Small Employer: Atkins Accountants Ltd - Accountants, Business & Tax Advisors Swansea
Medium Employer: Midway Transitional Solutions Ltd
Medium Employer: The Welsh Rugby Union
Large Employer: Innovate trust
Large Employer: Legal & General
Professional Development Employer of the Year: Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
Professional Development Employer of the Year: The Royal Mint
JGW+ Employer of the Year: Bron Afon Community Housing
JGW+ Employer of the Year: Little Inspirations Day Nursery
Valued Partners: Jenna Murphy
Valued Partners: Down to Earth Project
New Employer of the Year: Sacyr
New Employer of the Year: Eden Nursery - Aberbeeg
New Employer of the Year: Admiral

Silver Winners:
JGW+ Engagement Learner of the Year: Logan Harrison
JGW+ Advancement Learner of the Year: Jessica Waite
Foundation Apprentice of the Year: Lisa Isgrove
Apprentice of the Year: Poppy Wright
Higher Apprentice of the Year: Darren Sweeney
Essential Skills Learner of the Year: Lowri Evans


Bronze Winners:
JGW+ Engagement Learner of the Year: Jack Jones
JGW+ Advancement Learner of the Year: Kia Richards
Foundation Apprentice of the Year: Millie Evans
Apprentice of the Year: Michelle McLachlan
Higher Apprentice of the Year: Kelly Beaumont
Essential Skills Learner of the Year: Christine Beale

Highly Commended:
JGW+ Engagement Learner of the Year: Sean Murphy
JGW+ Advancement Learner of the Year: Tia Montanari & Gwen Jenkins
Foundation Apprentice of the Year: David Boyle
Apprentice of the Year: Lauren Gunning

Da iawn to all the winners, nominees, and supporters who continue to drive excellence in work-based learning. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4bA22Cv

23/01/2026

It’s been an inspiring 2 days delivering our first residential programme on community-led housing. There's so much hope, energy and positivity out there.
We're looking to carry the momentum forwards with another residential next week.
thank you to everyone who took part and to our funder, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, for supporting
If you'd like to find out more about our work in community-led housing, please get in touch via:
CLH@downtoearthproject.org.uk

16/12/2025

The Two-Day Introduction to Community-Led Housing is now full!

Thanks for all the interest, and we are really excited to meet everyone in January who got a place.

If you have emailed and we haven't got back to you, then you will receive a response in the next few days. The level of interest has been huge, so please bear with us.

Please keep a look out other courses we are running over the coming months!

05/12/2025

Join us for a fully funded two day introduction to the development of community led housing, focusing on how housing can be designed, built and managed by and for communities!

Register interest for more information, by emailing clh@downtoearthproject.org.uk!

03/12/2025

Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate with your team this festive season? Join us!

As a not for profit organisation, every booking will support the continuation of our work in 2026!

Admiral DVLA Swansea Swansea Council for Voluntary Service Gower College Swansea Swansea University Swansea Bay NHS UWTSD Swansea Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

30/11/2025

🌿 New Course for 2026! 🌿

Do you believe in the power of outdoors to transform wellbeing?

Boost your confidence in supporting nature and wellbeing facilitation with our Wellbeing in Nature Agored Level 2 qualification.

✅ Boost your skills
✅ Support mental health & resilience
✅ Learn in and from nature

Limited spaces available! Get in contact for more information...

Coed Lleol Small Woods SwanseaSwansea Council for Voluntary ServiceCyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resources WalesOur Health MeadowPublic Health Wales

26/11/2025

This evening we celebrate the amazing third sector we have in Wales, alongside other organisations across the UK in Social Enterprise UK Awards. Big shout out to those brilliant, long term supporting entities in Wales WCVA CGGCCwmpas DTA Wales / CYD Cymru The National Lottery Community Fund/ Cronfa Gymunedol y Loteri Genedlaethol Welsh Government amongst others - we couldn’t do it without your long term support and belief

Congratulations and good luck to all the Welsh organisations that have been nominated for an award in the Social Enterprise UK Awards tonight! 🌟

To take a look at the incredible finalists for 2025, please visit the link in comments below.

06/11/2025

Welcome to our Residential Centre!

Our story at Little Bryn Gwyn on Gower has entered a new chapter and we are pleased to announce we now own the residential centre we built with young people for Valleys Kids 6 years ago.

Building on the 70 year history of being a space for “at risk” children, the complete 6 acre site is dedicated to our work with diverse communities of children, young people and adults facing exclusion and marginalisation.

It’s a beautiful site which has been hand-crafted and lovingly created by the very groups who will benefit from using it. Based on using Welsh timber and natural materials, it’s a residential training facility which not only nurtures people, but nurtures nature and our connection with it.

If you’d like to book the residential centre (SA3 1BG) for your group, or you’d like to support our work by booking the facility for a corporate residential experience or family gathering, you can find everything you need to know here:
https://downtoearthproject.org.uk/venuehire/residential-centre/

We offer a discounted rate for charities and 'not for profit' groups. Contact info@downtoearthproject.org.uk to find out more!

We are grateful to Valleys Kids - Plant Y Cymoedd for the long term relationship and also to the funders who have enabled this dream to grow.

The National Lottery Community Fund/ Cronfa Gymunedol y Loteri Genedlaethol People's Postcode Lottery Welsh Government Tonia Antoniazzi Rebecca Evans MS/AS for Gower Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resources Wales Swansea Bay NHS Swansea University University of Wales Trinity Saint David Gower College Swansea Swansea Council for Voluntary Service Maggie's Cardiff Cardiff & Vale Health Charity

04/11/2025

We had a great open day at Crofty today — thank you to everyone who stopped by! 👋

If you missed us, don’t worry — we’ll be out and about again this weekend:
📍 Penclawdd Community Centre — Saturday 8th November, drop in between 10am–12pm
📍 Haus Hwb site — Saturday 8th November, drop in between 2pm–4pm

28/10/2025

🚨Reminder: Haus Hwb Open Days Coming Up! 🚨

Don't forget our Open Days for our upcoming Haus Hwb project are just around the corner - we'd love to see you there!

🌿 Have your say on Haus Hwb! 🌿
This community-led manufacturing facility will put people and nature at the heart of housing development in Wales — scaling up our work with some of the most excluded and at-risk communities.
Come and meet us at one of our open days to learn more, share your thoughts, and see how we’re building a better, greener future together 🌍💚
📅 Open Day Dates:
📍 Wed 29th Oct – Down to Earth Project, Swansea, SA3 1BG 10:30-14:30
📍 Tues 4th Nov – Haus Hwb site, Crofty, SA4 3RS 15:00-17:00
📍 Sat 8th Nov – Penclawdd Community Centre, SA4 3FU 10:00-12:00 & Haus Hwb site, SA4 3RS 14:00-16:00
👉 Find out more: dte.org.uk/haushwb
📧 info@downtoearthproject.org.uk
Pobl Group Swansea Council for Voluntary Service Swansea University Beacon Cymru Group Tonia Antoniazzi Rebecca Evans MS/AS for Gower