We always get asked why we are doing this so here is the story.
In the beginning…
When you have three small children and work long hours, sometimes you crave a change. So, you quit your jobs and buy a potato field in the middle of Friskney. For 11 years you try to live the Good Life and then life takes a very different turn!
Rehabilitation
In 2010 we made links with HMP North Sea Camp and an idea started to form. Peter’s Eden Farm became a volunteer placement for prisoners at the end of their sentence and we saw some dramatic changes. We began to realise that we took for granted could make a real difference to people!
Countryfile
One Sunday night, whilst watching Countryfile, we stumbled upon Care Farming. We did the appropriate CEVAS training and, as luck would have it, we were approached by an education centre who were looking for a farm site in Lincolnshire; after many months of discussions, the contract fell through. So the only option was to go it alone.
The Managed Care Network
At a meeting of the CCG in Skegness, armed with leaflets about our new venture, we were approached by the Managed Care Network, asking if we were looking for funding. A few months later we were given the go ahead and The Askefield Project was born!
Launch Day
We launched on Mental Health Awareness Day 2017 and spent the next two years working with adults on the farm; each person had their own reasons for attending. The farm (especially Boris the donkey) began to work its magic on many people!
The People’s Project
In 2018 we were invited to enter the National Lottery’s People’s Project to win £50k to build a Toolshed. After an extensive media campaign we came in fourth and missed the prize money, BUT we were not going to be defeated!
The National Lottery
We put in an application to the Reaching Communities Fund in 2020 to fund an extensive five-year plan for the farm but were turned down in March 2020 – a blessing in disguise, although we did not know it yet. On our second attempt in May 2021, we finally made it!!! Three years of funding with a development plan and three new Directors on board. Things are definitely moving up a gear!!!
Onwards and upwards…
We have so many plans for the future. The Askefield Project Community Hub will continue to grow with many events and projects in the pipeline. It’s such an exciting time for us; if you want to be a part of it you can follow our progress on social media, become a Friend of Askefield or join us as a volunteer. Click the button below for more details.
