STONEBRIDGE CITY FARM
- A community charity based in St. Ann’s, Nottingham.
- Set up 40 years ago, by local people for the benefit of local people.
- Supports 120 people each week – the majority of whom have a learning disability or a mental health difficulty.
- Provides work based opportunities that help improve independence, self esteem, mental and physical health and employment prospects.
- An education centre – last year we provided structured educational visits for nearly 1000 local school children.
- We also work closely with a number of local schools and colleges to deliver education programmes.
- A popular inner-city farm and visitor centre for local families who can enjoy the gardens, play area and a wonderful variety of animals.
Why are we launching an appeal?
While we have taken every step we can to raise funds and control our costs, the winter months are particularly hard as visitor numbers drop. Our public service grant funding has been reduced significantly over the past few years and we now need to raise more funds during the remaining winter months and are looking to raise at least £30,000 urgently, in order to keep the farm going.
Is the farm going to close?
We are confident that raising these funds will help secure the future of the farm and the community services we provide.
Is anyone going to lose their job?
A period of consultation has begun and there is a risk of redundancy for some staff – however we will do all we can to minimise the impact on staff.
How much does it cost to run the farm?
It costs over £900 a day to keep the farm open, which equates to £330,000 per year.
Where do you get your income from?
We raise income from a variety of sources:
- 40% from the shop, café, animal boarding and garden sales
- 25% from education fees
- 20% from grants resulting from applications to trusts and foundations
- 10% from visitor donations and local organizations
- 5% from council grants
Why don’t you charge an entrance fee?
As a community charity based in one of the most deprived neighbourhoods of the United Kingdom, we aim to be fully inclusive and accessible to everyone. We don’t charge an entrance fee in order to achieve this but we do encourage visitor donations.
Does the council give you any money?
Grants we receive from the City and County councils are now only a third of what they were four years ago. This year, grants from the councils give us less than 5% of the income we require to operate.
“For many families in Nottingham, Stonebridge City Farm is a fully inclusive and accessible visitor centre where they can come and enjoy the gardens, the play area and spending time with a wonderful variety of animals, all in the city of Nottingham.”
Each week we support 120 people, the majority of whom have a learning disability or a mental health difficulty. Our work helps promote:
- Independence
- Mental and physical health
- Social inclusion
- Realising potential
- Skills development
In 2018 we provided structured education visits for nearly 1000 local school children and worked with a number of colleges to deliver education programmes.
You can donate to the farm here
Peter Armitage, General Manager
0115 950 5113
peter@stonebridgecityfarm.com
www.stonebridgecityfarm.com
