We support churches in creating eco communities on their land in order to deepen worship, welcome their community, and combat climate breakdown
“It's been a joy to watch the pioneering work of Hazelnut grow through the years. I recommend the work they are doing to connect churches and communities with their land and I look forward to seeing it continue to develop and flourish.” - Ruth Valerio
Activity
Churches that join the Hazelnut Network create a community where people come together to connect with nature, grow food, and explore faith in everyday life. Using their church land as a place of gathering and growing. They run gatherings and hands-on projects like gardening, outdoor worship, and community meals that connect creator, creation, and community.
Time
It usually takes a few months to get started, as we support churches with all the training, resources, and step-by-step guidance they need to begin. Once running, the project is designed to be ongoing and long-term, growing year by year as part of the life of the church and its local community.
Cost
Setting up a Hazelnut project is low cost, as churches receive the training, resources, and ongoing support they need through the network. Communities simply pay a small monthly subscription, scaled to the size of their group, which covers access to courses, resources, and shared learning across the network.
Partnership
Hazelnut projects work best when churches build simple local partnerships with schools, community groups, and local services to share space, skills, and people. We support churches to make these connections gently and safely, helping the project become a trusted, positive presence in the wider neighbourhood.
Support
We provide churches with access to Potting Shed, our year-long training journey that supports leaders to grow a local eco-community rooted in faith, land, and neighbourhood. Alongside this they receive practical resources, mentoring, and support from the wider Hazelnut Network, so they are guided and supported as they grow.
Resources
Churches mainly need some outdoor space, ideally their own church land or garden, and a small group of people who want to take part. We help them make the most of what they already have, so they do not need special buildings or expensive equipment to begin.
People
Most projects begin with one or two lead volunteers and a small supporting team, often drawn from the church and local community. They do not need prior experience, as Potting Shed and the Hazelnut Network provide the training, guidance, and support to help them grow into their roles.
Replications
Hazelnut Community has:
Replications
FREE Getting Started Guide
Register for your interest and we’ll send you our FREE Cinnamon guide to starting your social action project. Furthermore, we’ll pass your enquiry directly onto the relevant people so they can get in touch with you.
