Sunderland city farm expands community services with North East BIC support

A Sunderland city farm which offers education and training, and free and affordable activities for thousands of local people every year is expanding its community services thanks to support from North East BIC.

Sunderland Training and Education Farm in South Hylton is now home to a community hub offering a “warm, welcoming” environment for local people, including those feeling socially isolated or struggling with the cost of living.

Meanwhile, it is also developing its education and training courses, which include work-based learning qualifications in animal care, equine care and horticulture. The social enterprise at Page Pastures Farm, Keelman’s Lane, Sunderland, welcomes some 8,000 people every year to benefit from its activities.

These include farm tours and hands-on learning, accredited education and training, and free and affordable after-school and school holiday activities including a popular pony club where local youngsters can learn riding and animal care.

Home to pigs, cows, sheep and goats, horses, peacocks, racoons and emus, marmosets, reptiles, snakes and more, the farm is now being supported by the BIC’s expert business support team to expand its training offering and develop its marketing strategy as it marks its 20th anniversary.

Jeanette Chapman, who founded the enterprise on the family farm where she grew up in 2003, says its services are needed now more than ever, as communities face up to the effects of post-pandemic economic and mental health crises.

She commented: “We hear more and more people saying they feel isolated and lonely because they can’t afford to go out, and that’s leading to further isolation on top of the issues which began with covid.

“That’s what prompted the new community hub here, providing a place where people can meet in a warm, welcoming space, enjoy the farm and become part of the farm community.”

Former childcare development worker Jeanette began the enterprise with a focus on educating children about animals, nature and agriculture. In the two decades since, it has grown to provide much more for people of all ages.

The enterprise has been supported by the BIC at critical stages of its development, including at startup, 10 years in, and more recently, with a funding opportunity to employ two new members of staff.

BIC social enterprise manager Kevin Marquis added: “The farm is a fantastic example of a social enterprise which makes a real difference to its local community, providing vital services and supporting thousands of people and families every year.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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