A social enterprise farm from Cheshire that offers sustainable jobs for the long-term unemployed has been given an 'unexpected' £25,000 donation by the Cheshire Freemasons.
Bridge Community Farms on Mill Lane said they hope to bring in people from all parts of the community and offer a helping hand to those in need.
"We provide a therapeutic environment for people living with mental health conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as people with physical and learning disabilities," they said.
"We also have study facilities for children and young people who want to learn horticulture, food preparation and basic business skills."
They said the money will be used to expand their range of fruit and vegetables so they can give 'self-esteem back' to many long-term unemployed and teenagers with problems.
'Big difference'
The leader of the county’s 5,000 Freemasons, chartered accountant Stephen Blank, who goes by the title of Provincial Grand Master, said: "We are making our donation to this community farm because we believe it will make a big difference to the lives of many people both young and old from the locality who feel forgotten and left behind.
"The donation is part of a £500,000 charity pot that Cheshire Freemasons are handing out to charities, voluntary groups, Freemasons and their dependents across Cheshire in celebration of this year’s Tercentenary of the United Grand Lodge of England, one of Britain’s biggest givers to charity."
The farm's manager, Clair Johnson, told the Cheshire Chronicle that she personally benefitted from the work.
"I requested leave from my employer to send time at the community farm on a one-day a week basis and found the working environment so therapeutic.
"I was encouraged by Francis Ball to work here full time and since then my mental health, wellbeing and work life balance has improved beyond measure."
