It has been particularly important this year that entrance to the farm remains free as so many families are struggling, and being able to get outside and have some fun has been vital to wellbeing for parents, grandparents and carers as well as children. The farm is a really great resource for local families from the welcome desk to the animals, play area, gardens, café and shop. Some families come several times per week. Where else can you visit locally that has so much to offer for free?

During the lockdown periods visitors are not allowed on site, and when we have been able to open this year, we have had to limit the number of visitors to ensure the safety of volunteers, visitors, staff and animals! We have also not been able to hold the many usual school visits this year for which we make a small charge. This means that we have lost a huge amount of income from our café, barn (animal feeding and boarding), gardens and shop. As so few of our volunteers are funded in any way, our income would normally help us fund our daily volunteer provision in terms of support and work-based training.

We could not run the farm without the wonderful help of 140 volunteers (normally on site each week). Over 70% of our volunteers have a mental health challenge or learning disability and it has been vital that we continued our support in the first lockdown and will again over the coming months. As before, we will be making calls to all our volunteers, sending texts, encouraging engagement via our safe and closed Volunteers and Staff Facebook page and sending weekly news, activities and resources to help at this time when so many are feeling anxious and isolated.

PLEASE DONATE IF YOU CAN - AND REMEMBER THAT ALL DONATIONS, HOWEVER SMALL, DO ADD UP.

Thank you all.