Our Story

Watford Workshop: A Legacy of Empowering Individuals with Disabilities for Over 60 Years

From Humble Beginnings to a Thriving Community

Post World War II, the Government embarked on integrating individuals with disabilities into society. In 1964, Watford Workshop was among numerous sheltered workshops set up around the country. We opened our doors in a modest cabin officially inaugurated by Mayor Alderman A.W.M. Reynolds. Operating under the Hertfordshire County Council’s funding umbrella for over three decades (1963-1998), the Workshop maintained independent management, welcoming around 18 individuals with disabilities who attended each week.

A Journey of Growth and Transformation

In 1999, Watford Borough Council’s Century Retail Park development posed a threat to the Workshop’s location. However, a critical stipulation in the plans mandated the construction of a purpose-built facility at the site’s rear. This new space, just 250 metres from the original cabin, marked a significant step forward, enabling the Workshop to support up to 60 individuals with disabilities.

Addressing the Need for Inclusive Employment

Recognising the gap in social and work skills development for individuals with disabilities, we have always prioritised personalised support. Since the Workshop’s inception, our approach has combined paid employment with comprehensive work skills and independent living skills training. This holistic approach ensures no one is left behind, offering designated support workers and fostering a sense of dignity and belonging for each participant.

Beyond Work: Nurturing Well-being and Independence

Acknowledging the challenges of anxiety, lack of confidence and low self-esteem faced by many individuals with disabilities, the Workshop goes beyond life-skills and work skills training. Yoga and other classes promote well-being, fostering a healthy work-life balance. Understanding the importance of independent living, the Workshop established “The POD (Place of Development)” in 2017.

The facility offers over 40 hours of weekly training sessions led by experienced Tutors who are qualified Special Educational Needs (SEN) teachers. These sessions cover essential daily life skills, including managing finances, basic cooking, and IT skills. The comprehensive training provided at “The POD” supports the Workshop’s broader objectives of promoting employment and independent living among adults with disabilities, contributing significantly to their confidence, self-esteem, and integration into the community​​​​.

A Legacy of Impact

Since 1964, we have worked to transform countless lives and positively impact the community. From humble beginnings in a cabin with 18 service users, we now support over 100 individuals every week. We have placed hundreds in paid employment, empowering them with the confidence and skills to transition into mainstream jobs. The mission, fuelled by extensive training programmes alongside light assembly, packaging, and light electrical/mechanical work, is clear: helping individuals with disabilities reach their full potential.

Partnering with Purpose

Over the past 60 years, we’ve also worked with many businesses and organisations. Major retailers and brands across the UK have utilised our retail reworks, promotional packing, and light electrical assembly. These partnerships are more than just business transactions; they are an integral part of our mission to provide meaningful employment and skill development for our service users.

We have had some great support from other local businesses and organisations in the form of volunteers. These volunteers experience our workshop first-hand and work alongside our service users.

We are grateful to businesses like Warner Brothers, B&Q and Thrive Homes for their support.

High Profile Support

What we do at Watford Workshop is very unique and we’ve been very honoured to have some high-profile people in our corner. They include a serving Prime Minister, MPs, the Mayor of Watford and the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire. It’s been great to host them at the Workshop and we’re grateful for their support.

Expanding Services and Building the Future

Our commitment to expanding our services is evident in the 2017 addition of a dedicated building adjacent to the Workshop. This refurbished space, opened by the Mayor, provides essential independent living and life skills training, further enriching the support offered to individuals with disabilities. The Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss, opened our first Mezzanine space.

In 2024, we expanded our existing Mezzanine to include new workspaces, office spaces, and an activity/meeting room. These developments were made possible by grants from Watford Council, Hertfordshire Community Foundation, Wensels, Watford Community Housing Trust and Warner Brothers.

Looking Forward

In 2024, we celebrated our 60th Anniversary. It was a good opportunity to look backwards at how far we’ve come and look to the future. We are always looking to expand our reach, welcoming more individuals seeking paid employment and skills development. However, our ability to offer these vital services heavily relies on the continued support of generous foundations and charities. We look forward to continuing our work in empowering individuals and fostering a more inclusive community.