As we transition to the vibrant colours of autumn, and celebrate the plentiful harvest of our land, we share with you our annual newsletter and thank you for your continued support of Farms for City Children.
2023-24 was an incredible year for Farms for City Children with more weeks of activity on the farms than ever before in our almost 50year history. The diversity of our beneficiaries continued to grow with new partnerships across maintained primary and secondary schools, Further Education colleges, community associations, Scouts, and Gold Award Duke of Edinburgh participants. 83 loyal returning schools were joined by 16 new schools from 20 counties across England and Wales, and 16 London boroughs.
Over the year, 3,188 children and young people took a week away from their busy lives to connect with food, farming, and the great outdoors. Supported by our farm teams, and their teachers’, visiting children and young people experienced increased learning and engagement, saw their social connections and wellbeing improve, and developed a sense of environmental citizenship from a week of purposeful farm tasks and outdoor nature sessions.
In June, with donors, partners, teachers, and our beneficiaries, the charity celebrated a Festival of Learning at the Butchers’ Hall in central London, in a farm take-over that saw us bring all three farms into the square mile to showcase the work that we do. This was a joyous occasion, made even more celebratory by the attendance of the Worshipful Company of Butchers livery, an array of VIP guests and ambassadors, and of course, our incredible Patron, HRH the Princess Royal.
We could not deliver such transformational weeks without the support of our funders
and donors, whose generosity every year enables us to reach more beneficiaries. We are immensely grateful for your financial support to secure an experience which ignites curiosity, builds courage and confidence, exposes children to new and challenging tasks, and empowers the next generation to be connected to the source of their food and the natural world.
With the charity going from strengthto-strength every year, we eagerly await 2024/25 and all the wonderful experiences that we will deliver for our children and young people.
Donna Edmonds, CEO
VIEW INSIDE THE FARM
A LIFE-CHANGING VISIT TO NETHERCOTT HOUSE –
A HEADTEACHER’S
County Bridge Primary School, in Walsall, visited Nethercott House in October 2023 with 27 year 6 pupils. Head of Fundraising Lisa Tame, recently caught up with Rabia Patel, Headteacher, to discover more about their visit and the difference it made for their children.
Reflecting on your week at Nethercott House, what were your key moments?
‘Most of our children have never been to a farm before; they have not seen farm animals, and certainly have never been close to cows and sheep. They really understand and appreciate where their food comes from now.’
‘Arriving at Nethercott, and just looking at their faces, they were in awe, it is a huge moment for them. Experiencing log fires and eating wholesome foods that are not fish and chips, chicken nuggets, or something microwaved, or eating their dinner at a table, it means so much for the children. Many of our children do not have breakfast, so even having breakfast is hugely important.’
‘Then there are the vast opportunities, working in the garden with lovely Janette, tasting produce straight from the farm, the children are learning without even realising, all the time. The children look and act like they are on holiday, but they are always learning. It is social learning, life learning that they have not had.’
‘Not only are the children learning the benefits of routine through daily rotas, but they are also practising life skills; communicating, understanding that we all have a part to play in the world, teamwork, and collaboration, and taking responsibility for the animals and each other. Nethercott, and our time at the farm, are all about the team and everyone plays a part.’
Can you describe the difference that a week on the farm makes?
‘Routine and developing life skills whilst on the farm have a significant impact on children’s learning back in school.’
‘I see a lot of their experiences come out in the classroom; the way they act afterwards, the impact a week at Nethercott has on their maturity, and they reflect on the experience constantly. Their relationships at every level have improved, and the bonds between themselves, and our (teachers) relationships with the children have grown. We form new bonds with them through simple activities like eating dinner at the table together.’
‘I have been on other residentials, and they are vastly different. Farms for City Children has
such a focus on values; values which align with the ethos of our school.’
Can you share some stand out moments from your visit?
‘Every child grew during their week at Nethercott, and there were many stand-out moments. One child grew so much in that week; she never used to talk, but now she is loud, she is chatty, she is comfortable and asks for help.’
‘One of our quieter boys was really transformed by his week on the farm. The farm team spotted that he was a little more reserved than the other children. Nethercott provided him with consistency and continuity. To watch him come away from the residential, having been named one of the ‘Farmer’s of the Week’, honestly that feeling, I could not even capture it in words. He was in his element, he was confident; his hand was up in every activity! The farm gave him the opportunities to develop social skills without any interruptions, and as a result he has come a long way.’
Since being back at school, have you noticed any differences in the children?
‘Most definitely. One of our children struggles with school life, she is incredibly quiet and limits her involvement in activities. On the farm she was just another girl, and on the way home she was laughing and giggling the whole way; the girl sitting by her said to her “I didn’t realise you were so loud and funny.”.’
‘In the evenings we encouraged the children to write a journal. This girl won a prize for her contribution. She was different, smiling, and talking. The impact on her back at school has been tremendous! She has joined a sports team and wanted to be involved in the school performance, she would never have volunteered for this before her week of muck and magic. The confidence we have seen afterwards is because of the farm, 100%, she was a different girl at the farm.’
You can help more children benefit from a farm visit...
Flick to the inside back page to find out how!
FARM NEWS
This year Nethercott House welcomed 1,058 young beneficiaries from 31 schools, three community groups and a Further Education college drawn, geographically, from the Midlands, London and the Southeast, the South and Southwest of England.
From opening our beehives in the spring, to harvesting the honey in the autumn, our beneficiaries are engaged with the bees’ life cycle, enabling them to understand the impact these insects have on our entire ecosystem. Likewise, manuring and mulching the kitchen garden gives way to planting, weeding and hoeing until it is time for the children to bring in the crops. Onions, squash, brassicas, apples, pears and soft fruits make delicious meals and broaden young palates.
Since taking back approximately 40 acres of land at Nethercott’s Burrow Farm, we have been proud to work alongside other organisations to benefit from nature rich farming. Our wood pasture creation project (funded by The Woodland Trust) comprises of 14 circular ‘roundels’ which were planted up with native tree species by local groups and visiting schools last autumn and early winter.
“I am proud of planting multiple trees that will be important for other people as well.”
Regular readers may remember last autumn we ran an appeal to replace our long-serving ride-on mower at Lower Treginnis farm. With the most generous support of donors, we were able to purchase a new mower much to gardener Alan’s delight!
THE NEED
We are always looking for opportunities to enhance the on-farm experience for visiting children and young people. Farm School Manager, Gethin, has a vision to convert a redundant water pump building at Lower Treginnis Farm into a bird hide to complement the wildlife walks delivered each week. A wealth of bird life can be spotted at our coastal farm including Choughs, Manx Shearwater and Gannets.
Providing a covered hide will enable children to look out for birdlife, minimising disturbance and protecting the children from the elements that this westerly farm offers!
HOW TO DONATE
You can help Gethin, and his team realise this vision by donating to our Bird Hide appeal.
QR Code: Scan your phone’s camera over this code or click here to donate online.
Post: Send a cheque, with your name and contact details to Farms for City Children, Huxham Barns, Huxham, Exeter, Devon, EX5 4EJ. Don’t forget to write Bird Hide Appeal on the back!
Bank Transfer: Please call 01392 276678 or email fundraising@farmsforcitychildren.org for details
We need to raise £5,000 to make the building safe and appropriate for use. Any funds raised over this amount will be put towards our farm residential delivery costs.
OUR IMPACT
five-day farm residential visits 106
3,188 of young beneficiaries from the most deprived areas of England and Wales 55%
children and young people
School and group leaders said their farm residential met or exceeded our pledged outcomes for children and young people.
• Increased learning and engagement 100%
“I am excited to be able to know how the world works and how to take care of animals that I didn’t know before.”
Year 6 Pupil, Keyham Barton Catholic Primary, Plymouth.
• Improved connections and wellbeing 100%
“The core value of compassion is most important to us. We feel that this is the behaviour that our children (this year group especially) struggle with so much in school. They find it hard to have empathy with others, but we have seen some lovely examples of care between the children.”
Lead teacher, John Donne School, Peckham, London.
• Enhanced sense of environmental citizenship 99%
“The staff were all so knowledgeable and passionate about the environment. The children came away with a great understanding of their place within the environment, and their responsibilities as citizens.”
Lead teacher, Holton Primary School, Barry, Wales.
“I am proud of how determined I was and how I persevered in most tasks.”
Beneficiary,
St Mellons
Primary School, Cardiff
FARM NEWS
At Lower Treginnis, one-third of our beneficiaries come from Welsh schools. This allows us to positively impact not only urban children, but also those from rural and coastal areas. Despite their geographic differences, these children often face the same barriers that limit their meaningful access to the natural world.
In April, we welcomed a group of 37 children and young people from the Redditch District Scouts, and in July, hosted a group of children from military families. The young people particularly enjoyed going out into the sheep fields with our partner farmer Aled, and those who were lucky enough to witness him assisting with a live lambing have since said it was a “once in a lifetime opportunity” that “we will probably never get to see again”.
We continue to work with the Ernest Cook Trust as a partner in the Outdoor Week of Learning collaboration to benefit children in The Vale of Glamorgan, and are ever grateful to our local fundraisers, The Friends of Treginnis, for their support to enable local Pembrokeshire schools to visit the farm.
We have enjoyed working with local partners to bring new perspectives to our programme including beach cleans, storytelling, and the UK’s first community owned seaweed and shellfish farm Câr-y-Môr.
FARM NEWS
Wick Court delivered 38 weeks of farming to 1,071 young people; hosting 34 primary schools, one secondary school, one Further Education college, and two youth groups. The farm also welcomed over a thousand additional guests at several events throughout the year.
A large proportion of our beneficiary groups returned from London, and we also welcomed new groups from Liverpool and Manchester. Thanks to funding through the OWL collaboration, we hosted three Gloucester schools located within one of the most socio-economically deprived areas of the country. We have never been more convinced that there is a need right on our doorstep.
Welcoming lots of new additions to the farm including Dorset and Ryland Gloucester calves and Old Spot piglets has been
a highlight. Importantly, we are pleased to report a bumper year for fruit production, and that the perry pears, Wick Court is known for, were processed by the young people into tasty juice.
We welcomed back consistent numbers of rare bats in the roost in the attic and enjoy sharing information about these fascinating mammals with our young beneficiaries.
In April we worked with poet James Crowden to create work inspired by orchard blossom, and in May we held our first Orchard Blossom Day with a focus on environmentally themed family activities.
GET INVOLVED!
We will be celebrating Christmas in true Nethercott House style this year, and both Lower Treginnis and Wick Court have exciting plans for 2025. Look out for details in our e-newsletters and on social media!
Christmas Tree Festival 4.30pm – 8pm Friday 13th December.
A Christmassy feeling evening with decorated trees, choirs, stalls, hot food and drink. Visit the events page on our website.
Festive Feast Tuesday 17th & Wednesday 18th December. Join us for the ultimate Christmas pop-up dining experience.
Enjoy mulled wine, explore the farm, meet the animals and indulge in a three-course farm to fork festive feast in our grand dining room. £45 per adult. Visit the events page on our website for details and to book.
Do you have a place in the 2025 London Marathon?
Could you be a fundraising hero and run to raise money for Farms for City Children?
Last year, Jack used his London Marathon race place to raise over £700, helping more children and young people explore the great outdoors on one of our farms, deepening the connections to their food, to farming, and to nature. Jack said, ‘Having been an inner London teacher, and now an Educational Psychologist, I know how important experiences like Farms for City Children can be for young people.’
If you’re interested in doing the same and can raise any amount, we’d be delighted to hear from you at fundraising@ farmsforcitychildren.org and we’ll support you all the way!
ARE YOU READY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Make a gift today
Online: Visit farmsforcitychildren.org and click DONATE
Online: Visit farmsforcitychildren.org and click DONATE
By Post: Send a cheque payable to Farms for City Children with your name and contact details to Huxham Barns, Huxham, Exeter, Devon, EX5 4EJ
By Post: Send a cheque payable to Farms for City Children with your name and contact details to Huxham Barns, Huxham, Exeter, Devon, EX5 4EJ
Bank Transfer: Send a cheque to Farms for City Children Huxham Barns, Huxham, Exeter, Devon, EX5 4EJ
Bank Transfer: Call 01392 276678 or email fundraising@farmsforcitychildren.org
Leave a gift in your will:
We have partnered with Octopus Legacy, an expert will-writing service. They have made it easy and free for Farms for City Children supporters to write a will in a few simple steps. If you already have an existing will that needs updating, you can update your will for free with Octopus Legacy too. To find our more visit: https://tinyurl.com/Octopus-Autumn-24
The work you have read about in this autumn newsletter has a tremendous impact on the lives of young people across England and Wales. None of this would be possible without the generous support from individual donors, community fundraising events, grants, and corporate organisations. You can make a difference by donating, setting up a regular gift, or supporting our work through your company or foundation.
QR Code: Scan your phone’s camera over this code to donate today!
MAKE A DIFFERENCE THIS CHRISTMAS
This year we have a wonderful selection of Christmas gifts, all of which are available to order via our online shop.
HOW TO ORDER
To view and order simply visit our website www.farmsforcitychildren.org/our-shop and shop away! (If you visit our website via the homepage, click Support Us, a drop-down menu will appear, then click Our Shop).
If you would like to place your order over the phone, please call Becks on 01392 276381 and leave a message with your contact details or email admin@farmsforcitychildren.org
Christmas Big Give
Look out for the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2024 between 3-10th December where every donation of £1 or more will be doubled to help more children experience a week in wellies on one of our working farms!
