A DORSET farm which reconnects young people with the county’s farming heritage is seeking funds.

Future Roots is based at the 30-acre Rylands Farm, based between Sherborne and Dorchester .

The Do it for Dorset campaign, which is backed by the Dorset Echo, is hoping to raise awareness and encourage donations to smaller local charities.

Staff at the farm support young people between five and 19 who face challenges in their lives.

Using the countryside as a classroom the project encourages many to go on and study for a career in agriculture, horticulture or animal care.

It is aimed to build the resilience, personal responsibility and employability of these young people and to create a therapeutic environment for both adults and children.

Julie Plumley, director of Future Roots, said: “Future Roots works with young people from all over Dorset who are facing challenges in their lives. By coming to our farm and experiencing Dorset’s farming heritage we help them make positive choices and become more resilient.

“Using the countryside as a classroom often has a big impact on a young person and many choose to go on and study for a career in agriculture, horticulture or animal care.

“By donating to Future Roots you will be directly contributing to our work to reconnect people to the countryside and improving their opportunities when they leave school.”

In the last school year Future Roots hosted an average of 70 young people with special educational needs at their farm every week.

Around a quarter were able to gain a City and Guilds award and many more were able to become more responsible and learn skills like cooking with farm produce.

Future Roots is currently looking to raise £10,000 to start up a countryside crafts micro-enterprise.

The project would allow young people to learn traditional rural crafts using wood and other natural materials as well as business and communication skills.

They would design and make products like wooden puzzles and games that we would sell to help make the project sustainable.

Money is needed to buy three different types of equipment so that young people of all abilities can participate.

 

Your chance to get involved

Examples of how your donation can help: 

£15 – pays for a breakfast club 

£30 – pays for a young person mentor for two hours  £100 – pays for an educational visit to a local food producer/processor.

To donate directly localgiving.com/charity /futureroots If you are a charity, sports club, village hall or a community group and would like to join the Do It for Dorset campaign, contact our localgiving.com manager Tracy Melling on 01202 315952