The idea
We are a five-acre care farm with no paid staff. We provide opportunities to people with disabilities/facing isolation. Climate harm is already happening in St Helens. 2023 was a devastating year for weather, resulting in 70% yield drop and gale force winds destroyed our polytunnel. Fruit and veg is our sole income. We need to secure volunteer opportunities ~4000 hours per year.
Our solution is to create an exciting partnership with Lancashire Wildlife Trust to become a satellite plant nursery, growing rare plants to restore Merseyside peat bogs which are a precious and degraded Merseyside habitat. We will build a rain water reservoir, reskin the polytunnel (but bury the cover to mitigate gales), buy peat-free ericaceous seedling compost then propagate "local provenance" plants. Cotton grass, cross-leaved heath, sundews & sphagnums will conserve local gene pools & prevent extinction. We will provide transport for likeminded disadvantaged groups to visit to share best practice.
What we'll deliver
- Secure volunteering opportunities on a 5 acre care farm to people with disabilities or facing social isolation
- Grow rare bog plants to be planted onto Merseyside peatbog nature reserves in partnership with Lancashire Wildlife Trust
- Repair polytunnel and put in new infrastructure especially rainwater harvest reservoir
- Purchase peat-free ericaceous seedling compost and other horticultural sundries
- Pay volunteer expenses
- Contribute to 10% core costs e.g. insurance, accountancy, fuel
- Offer knowledge sharing opportunities and visits
- Mini bus hire to bring other community projects from disadvantaged areas in Liverpool and St Helens to visit
Why it's a great idea
1) SAFE GUARD A CARE FARM'S FINANCES BY DIVERSIFYING TO PROVIDE INDEFINITE NATURE AND WELLBEING OPPORTUNITIES TO DISADVANTAGED LOCAL GROUPS. We do not charge. The majority of the core volunteer team (8 who act as steering group) and drop in community members (30+) have protected characteristics especially disability and older people at risk of social isolation. We have no paid staff and so core volunteering is essential and we are so grateful to all our wonderful volunteers. If we diversify beyond veg opportunities can continue indefinitely.
2) BECOME A SATELLITE PLANT NURSERY TO RAINFORD AND SUTTON MOSSES IN ST HELENS - producing rare plants that are of local provenance. There is no-one else in the world doing this. The plants will be planted on local nature reserves.
3) BECOME A SHOWCASE IN THE NORTH WEST and host visits for knowledge transfer so that other communities including minibus costs for groups working in high Index of Multiple Deprivation from Liverpool and St Helens.
Steps to get it done
- Getting all the infrastructure completed by Autumn 2023
- Running outreach events in the Autumn 2024
We are happy to provide team building days for corporate social responsibility and charge for this service with reasonable rates.
