Recovery Through Purpose
Our Work-Based Programme
Building Purpose Through Meaningful Work
At River Garden, we believe true recovery means building a life worth living. Our work-based programme is central to your therapeutic experience, focusing on meaningful contribution, skill development, and discovering new purpose.The programme is structured around five core days of meaningful activity, averaging five hours per day, covering:
Explore more
Hospitality and Culinary Arts (The Bothy Café)
Gain real-world experience in our successful commercial café. Training includes:
Front-of-House: Barista skills, customer care, and payment management. Back-of-House: Food preparation, baking, and professional cooking techniques.
Contact
Horticultural Enterprise
Our estate serves as a living classroom. You will gain hands-on experience in:
Grounds maintenance and landscaping. Commercial production in polytunnels, cultivating produce, plants, and creating seasonal arrangements.
Contact
Woodcraft and Fabrication
Work in our fully equipped workshop, learning to use hand and powered tools while crafting items from garden furniture to conservation structures (like hedgehog homes).
Contact
Supporting Nature, Building Sustainability
Engage in conservation work, habitat creation (including supporting local beehives), and sustainable practices like waste management and reducing our carbon footprint.
Contact
Career Development and Progression
Your recovery is the main project, but your future career is paramount. Our Key Workers and Employment Coordinator will proactively source external training, supervision, and placements with employers local to Ayr and in your own community to ensure you achieve your professional aspirations.
Contact
Where Change Begins
A charity dedicated to helping people rebuild their lives — combining purpose, therapy, and community to create lasting recovery from addiction.
Explore more