community impact
As a Community Supported Agriculture scheme, Farnham Community Farm is supported by our members and the wider community. We also give back to the community in several ways:
LOCAL SCHOOL VISITS
Every year, during term time, we are visited by pupils from local schools and educational groups including The Abbey School, Carwarden and Ridgeway. These visits can be part of a Duke of Edinburgh Award, an entire class visit, or for certain pupils who would benefit from time outdoors in a friendly environment. We believe the farm is a fantastic opportunity for those who might need a break from full-time classroom learning, and like to find tasks that each of them will feel they’ve excelled at.
“I like coming to Farnham Community Farm every week because it's fun, and good to get out of the four walls of the classroom.”
- Kieran, pupil at Abbey School
National citizens service
NCS is a three to four week experience that helps build the confidence and self belief of young people aged 15-17, so that they can take on anything in life. Farnham Community Farm hosts 24-36 young people taking part in NCS, offering a project to volunteer on and a focus for their Social Action phase. The NCS groups have raised over £500 for FCF, a fantastic achievement!
“This partner would be a great fit for a Social Action Project. The young people involved all learnt so much, put loads of effort in, and felt really fulfilled as they have helped the organisation in several different ways” -Filomena Tuivanualevu, Assistant Programme Manager, The Challenge, NCS
SUPPORTED VOLUNTEERS
We welcome volunteers who come with support to learn new skills and benefit from the calm, open space at the farm. One example is Chris who has been coming to the farm for over five years:
Twice a week Chris visits the farm with a support worker and gets involved with all manner of tasks in the field. Chris is a young man with autism, and he is also very sensitive to noise. Previously the day service Chris had been attending for the last five years decided they could no longer cater for his needs, and his family had to find alternatives to his day placement. As well as creating personalised gifts through social enterprise Chris and Co, volunteering at the farm is another enriching element to his week.
“I want to thank you for the wonderful opportunity you have given Chris. He loves coming up and working at the farm”
Surrey choices employability
We offer regular work experience placements to people referred through Surrey Choices EmployAbility; a dedicated service that helps to find work placements, training, volunteer opportunities and paid work for those living with autism or a learning, physical or sensory disability.
Find out more about the EmployAbility scheme here.
“Thank you for enabling our students and adults with a disability the opportunity to volunteer at Farnham Community Farm. Your support, welcome and environment make even the hardest to help feel valued, and have a role in the community. I know that some of our customers volunteering with you have been unable to find placements elsewhere, so we are very grateful for your openness to all. Even when we turn up with students who would rather sit in the car than work, you find easier, fun tasks for them to do... so thank you.”
YOUTH GROUPS
We host visits from groups such as Rainbows, Guides and Beavers. Every visit begins with a tour round the field, after which the children get involved with tasks relevant to their age.
