Sarah Giles of FarmAbility and Whitley Stimpson directors Andy Jones & Stephen Payne
A charity which helps disabled young people by giving them access to a working farm has been given a boost by accountants Whitley Stimpson.
FarmAbility, based at Wytham, near Oxford is an outdoor, farm-based programme for people with learning disabilities and autism.
Known as “co-farmers” they take part in a range of activities throughout the year including vegetable growing, orchard management, horse care, animal husbandry, woodwork, an organic egg enterprise as well as a range of seasonal farm tasks.
Part of the Farm Inspiration Trust which recognises the potential for farms to make a positive contribution to society, the programme was chosen by the Bicester offices of Whitley Stimpson as the beneficiary of its annual Golf Day.
The event took place at Frilford Heath Golf Club on 7th September and was attended by Sarah Giles, programme director of the charity, who gave a speech at the dinner following the golf.
Sarah Giles explains: “It’s fantastic that Whitley Stimpson is enabling people with learning disabilities and autism to access purposeful activities with donations raised through their annual golf day. These donations will directly help us to engage people with disabilities in outdoor, farm-based programmes that build confidence and skills, and which allow people to be valued for their ability, not defined by their disability. We were delighted to be Whitely Stimpson’s chosen charity for this event.”
Stephen Payne, head of the Bicester office of Whitley Stimpson, said: “This is a truly remarkable charity which does so much to transform the lives of these people in such a positive way.
“We were thrilled to raise over £1,000 on the day to help support and develop FarmAbility’s fantastic work in the future.”