The Big Give 2021

23 November 2021

This year, The Big Give is funding Patchwork Farm! We’re aiming to raise £25,000 which would fund the farm for 6 months. Donate between 30th November – 7th December and your donation will be doubled. Donate via The Big Give on our campaign page here.

What is Patchwork Farm?

Patchwork Farm is a fully wheelchair accessible, on-site, therapeutic farm offering the children, young adults and visitors to Chailey Heritage Foundation an interactive, multi-sensory, outdoor learning experience.

It promotes the concept of choice, increases confidence and promotes physical and emotional wellbeing. The farm includes a variety of traditional and non-traditional farm animals and every element has been specifically designed to meet the needs of the young people we support.

All of the paddocks are fitted with four foot gates for wheelchair access into the animal enclosures. Concrete paths and the outdoor learning centre allow visits all year round. If they can’t make it to the farm, the animals will come to the classroom.

How does the farm help the young people?

Children and young people with complex neurodisabilities have extremely limited opportunities to explore and interact with nature and animals. Helping to look after things that ‘move and grow’ is an aspect of personal development which is not easily available to these young people and yet is an essential feature of growing up. Very few farms are designed to be fully wheelchair accessible and even fewer have been designed to allow young people with limited movement the chance to fully interact.

Support young people like Luke and Louis

Luke and Louis enjoy coming to the farm to feed the animals as it improves their confidence and social skills. First up was the pigs who enjoyed eating a leftover pumpkin thrown over the fence by Luke. Then Louis and Luke fed some hay to the greedy goats who couldn't get enough of it! Finally, they fed the remaining hay to the donkeys and NicNac the Shetland pony. Both children really enjoyed the trip in the sunshine and getting to feed the animals.

What will the funds go towards?

• Animal feed, straw, vets bills, farrier and equine dentist.
• The farm manager and farm assistant.
• The upkeep of the buildings, the maintenance of the land, soil improvement and planting trees.
• Clothing and hygiene equipment to keep the young people, visitors, carers and staff safe.

Funds raised will help us continue to deliver this exciting service giving our inspirational young people access to a unique form of therapy that can make a significant impact on their physical progress and mental wellbeing.

How can I donate through The Big Give?

Donations made online at the Big Give website will be match funded between 30th and 7th December. More details can be found on the Big Give website here. Don’t forget to visit The Big Give website on 30 November when our donation page goes live!

How are the funds matched?

Thank you to our pledgers: Thorne Group, Ada Virtual, Sunninghill, The Personal Travel Agents, Finance Planning, Creative Pod and Candis Magazine who are generously matching donations for The Big Give this year.