Community urban farm urges public to back their project in national vote

Ouseburn Farm Charity has applied for up to £5,000 funding towards its ‘Growing Together’ project (Photo: Ouseburn Farm)
Ouseburn Farm Charity has applied for up to £5,000 funding towards its ‘Growing Together’ project (Photo: Ouseburn Farm)

A farm community charity is calling on the public to back their project in a national campaign to raise more funds.

Ouseburn Farm Charity in Byker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, is a community farm offering experience in the heart of Newcastle’s deprived urban East End.

It is amongst hundreds of community-based projects that have been shortlisted in the Aviva Community Fund, which will fund the projects to support those most disadvantaged in the community.

The Aviva Community Fund will finance over 500 projects across four different fund levels and four categories, giving awards to communities throughout the UK.

Ouseburn Farm Charity has applied for up to £5,000 funding towards its ‘Growing Together’ project, which will use food as a catalyst to bring groups of people together, to support their development and life skills.

It seeks to educate vulnerable people from urban areas on growing and harvesting crops, encouraging physical activity and understanding the origins of food.

Only 72 projects will be selected nationally to receive funding in the £1,000 to £5,000 category, following a public vote.

The charity said: "Aviva investment will fund a much-needed project to support those most disadvantaged in the community; vulnerable adults, those with learning disabilities, and local people with complex and specialist support needs, including mental health problems.

"Links with Tyne Housing, a specialist supported accommodation provider, will help us reach tenants and residents who will benefit. These groups suffer from poorer health than the general population, and often lead chaotic lives; many feel and are excluded from mainstream society."