Horton Farm receives £20,000 from National Lottery fund to boost volunteer programme

Horton Community Farm has been awarded £20,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund to expand its inclusive volunteer programme.

The funding, provided through the Awards for All scheme, will support the continuation of the farm’s popular “Food Growing Fridays” sessions until the end of March.

The initiative welcomes people of all backgrounds and abilities, offering opportunities to learn new skills, spend time outdoors and connect with others while helping to grow local produce.

Record numbers of volunteers taking part

Through social media, organisers said the programme was already thriving, with record numbers of volunteers attending sessions each week.

Participants can take part in a range of hands-on activities, including preparing and topping up planting beds with fresh soil, sowing seeds, netting crops and improving paths using recycled woodchip from council tree work.

Supporting wellbeing and community connection

The scheme aims to do more than just produce food, providing a welcoming space where people can improve their wellbeing and meet new people.

On their Facebook page, Horton Community Farm said it is proud to have built a “fantastic bunch” of volunteers and hopes even more people will get involved in the coming months.

Thanks to funders and volunteers

The group thanked both The National Lottery Community Fund and its volunteers for helping make the project possible.

Organisers said the funding had already made a significant difference and would allow the programme to continue growing.

Anyone interested in joining Food Growing Fridays can find more information and register through the Horton Community Farm website.