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A something special Help us grow
North-East businesses are being given a unique opportunity to help a charity create a pioneering visitor attraction and training ground for autistic people. PETER BARRON explains…
CROSS 77 acres of beautiful County Durham countryside, a magical ‘field of dreams’ is slowly but surely becoming a reality. In what is surely one of the most ambitious and imaginative initiatives ever launched by one of the region’s charities, the North East Autism Society (NEAS) has unveiled a £5.5m scheme to create a visitor attraction, including a café, shop, commercial units and apple mill. It will all be supported by a working farm that will provide jobs for autistic and neurodivergent adults. To enable the expansion of New Warlands Farm to come to fruition, the charity has launched a corporate appeal to North-East businesses to be part of the vision. “We truly believe we are in the midst of creating something very special that will have a generational impact, but we are a charity, and we need help to make it come to life,” says NEAS chief executive John Phillipson. “The North-East business community is renowned for its generosity in supporting life-changing initiatives. “Our ask today is for businesses to play a part in growing something that will not only enhance our region but have a positive impact on the lives of some of its most vulnerable people.” The seeds were sown in 2010 when NEAS, which supports children and adults,
We truly believe we are in the midst of creating something very special that will have a generational impact, but we are a charity, and we need help to make it come to life bought the sprawling farm, near Burnhope, to use as the base for a vocational centre, as well as building lodges for respite breaks for families. Woodwork, textiles, card-making, and floristry workshops were established, producing high-quality work. And hundreds of apple trees were planted to enable smallscale commercial apple juice and cider production to begin, with world-famous artist, Mackenzie Thorpe – proud to be one of the charity’s patrons – designing the labels for the bottles. It quickly became an oasis of inclusivity, earning plaudits from families and visitors for the courage and imagination that went into the development. But John, and the charity’s fundraising manager Kevin Meikle, always wanted more. Making new friends
They wanted to turn the site into a working farm, and visitor centre, so it would not only become sustainable but provide jobs and training opportunities for around 60 autistic adults each year. Planning permission for the expansion was granted last year, but NEAS needed someone with the skills and experience to bring the farm to life as part of the visitor attraction. And, so, this remarkable charity, that likes to push the boundaries, employed a farmer. John and Kevin found their ‘perfect fit’ when they went to meet the appropriately named Dave Wilde on his farm near Ponteland, initially to swap notes on ciderproduction. Dave had moved on from his landscape business to follow his own dream of having his own farm. Enriching lives
Growing something special
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