Sussex food education charity secures CLA Charitable Trust funding to help run children’s activities
Tuppenny Barn, based in Southbourne, West Sussex, is among the groups to successfully apply for a grant
A Sussex-based educational charity that champions the benefits of growing, cooking and eating healthy food has been awarded £5,000 from the CLA Charitable Trust (CLACT).
The trust is funded almost entirely by subscriptions and donations from members of the CLA, an organisation which represents thousands of farmers, landowners and rural businesses.
It provides grants to charities and community organisations who share its vision to help connect young people who are disabled or disadvantaged with the countryside and nature.
Tuppenny Barn, based in Southbourne, West Sussex, is among the groups to successfully apply for funding in the most recent round of awards, receiving all £5,000 it asked for. It runs interactive education programmes prioritising the participation of children with special educational needs and disabilities or those experiencing disadvantage. Using its outdoor classroom and forest school area, educators deliver hands-on interactive workshops to teach about the natural environment and importance of sustainable horticulture.
Children engage with where their food comes from, from the fork in the ground to the fork on their plate. Programmes include learning about wildlife habitats, growing food, the importance of a varied and healthy diet, outdoor crafting and mindfulness activities.
Maggie Haynes, CEO of Tuppenny Barn, said: “Funding from the CLA Charitable Trust will make an enormous difference to the delivery of our workshops for children and young people facing disadvantage.
“The grant from the CLA Charitable Trust means that we can welcome more children and young people to our smallholding. We will help them identify how they can best support their own health and wellbeing through positive choices and actions, and help nurture a love of the outdoors into their future. This is key in developing their sustained mental wellbeing.
“To meet the increased demand for our programmes, offer places to those on our waiting lists, and provide sustained financial stability for our smallholding, we plan to transform Tuppenny. We have secured planning for a new separate zero-carbon building, designed and constructed with sustainability at its heart. It will provide additional delivery space, a permanent home for our organic shop and a new community café.”
Bridget Biddell, Chairman of CLACT, said: “Learning about growing, harvesting and cooking food, and sharing this experience with children and young people who are struggling with life, could not be more important. Thank you Tuppenny Barn.”
About CLACT
