Children’s gardening week (May half term) is the chance for organisations that help children connect with the outdoors to take a turn in the spotlight. Connecting with the natural world and how food is grown is a crucial element in the Farms for City Children approach.
Farms for City Children is a charity founded by author Sir Michael Morpurgo and his wife Clare, to give children the chance to experience the benefits of time in nature.
Helping children connect with the outdoors for 49 years
Each year, since 1976 children and young people have visited the three heritage farms managed by Farms for City Children in Devon, Gloucester and Pembrokeshire. Many of the children have come from underserved communities and the experience of being farmers for a week has provided them with benefits that last well beyond their time on the farm.
A teacher said,
“Children had limited knowledge of their impact on the environment by their actions. This experience has opened their eyes not only to the whole farm-to-fork process but pollution, climate change and animals’ well-being. The sense of community has been fantastic and children who were quite withdrawn before have found that they can take the lead when they have found an activity that they have been adept at completing. Not just a week away from home – a whole new world where new friends can be found, leaders can be created and everyone has a part to play.”
The farm visits aim to support the curriculum needs of the visiting schools and contribute to the development of young people’s life skills such as confidence, communication, curiosity and collaboration. These skills are key to future aspiration and accessing further education training and employment. Importantly the visits, which last 5 days, are also fun!
Nathalie Ewing, Farms for City Children, said,
“Since we were founded nearly fifty years ago, over 100,000 children and young people have taken home the benefits of being a farmer for the week! We are incredibly proud to have made a difference to so many young lives and love seeing young people leave us as curious, courageous, compassionate citizens.”
£20K from The Health Lottery players to support 5-day residential breaks
Funding from The Health Lottery Foundation will help to fund immersive farm residentials to over 3,000 children and young people per year. During the residential young people participate in outdoor farm sessions, taking responsibility for livestock and land. Sessions align closely with health and wellbeing, the environment and sustainability.
The impact of offering experiences like no other, to children living in disadvantage is huge. Farms for City Children provided excellent evidence for the benefits of their approach, which impressed The Foundation.
Pupil, Flora Gardens Primary, Hammersmith, London, said,
“I am proud of finding the courage to get out of my house and go to Nethercott Farm and it was the right choice. This also improved my resilience; my self-confidence and I am a way better chef!”
Farms for City Children work with more than 3,000 young people each year. If you would like to know more, visit their website and follow them on social media.
Website: www.farmsforcitychildren.org
Instagram: @farmsforcitychildren
Facebook: @farmsforcitychildren
Linkedin: @farmsforcitychildren