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Allen Watson's Report
This is a report on my involvement with the
Millennium Farm Trust (MFT) since I joined them in September 2003. I am
encouraged to carry out community volunteering work by my employer, EDF
Energy and I was looking for an activity which was involved with working
with people in an outdoor environment - MFT was the obvious answer!
MFT Publicity
I have used use my computer based skills to help MFT with publicity. I
am responsible for designing, producing and printing publicity material,
such as information leaflets and posters. I also update the charity's
website with new information. I believe that all of this work has
greatly helped to raise MFT's profile in the community.
Fund Raising
Over the last year I have successfully obtained £171 for MFT through the
EDF Energy Community Support Fund. I have recently applied for an EDF
Energy Helping Hands Award, which if successful, will benefit MFT by up
£2000. The outcome of this application will be known by the end of 2004.
Also, over summer 2004 I assisted in raising funds by manning stalls set
up by the charity at a number of agricultural shows in Suffolk.
Volunteer support Worker
I provide practical support to the Farmworkers for two days a month at
Rede Hall Farm. The Farmworkers carry out a wide variety of tasks on the
farm and are always keen to get involved with the work activities. They
are also keen to share information which they have learnt.
Personal Benefits
I have greatly benefited from being involved with MFT. It has given me
the opportunity to meet great people outside of work. It is also very
satisfying to know that I contribute to an organisation, which carries
out such great work in the community.
lan Coles, MFT Support Worker and
Community Member reports from Old Hall, East Bergholt.
Since November 2002 an MFT work team have been coming here every Friday,
come rain or shine. The team has consisted of 2 or 3 farmworkers,
sometimes a student from Otley College on work experience, our Senior
Support Worker and myself as host Support Worker. We have often worked
with other community members and one of these members has deputised as
host if I have been absent.
The abilities of our farmworkers are mixed and the above ratio of
support workers allows one to one supervision when necessary. This
allows a large variety of farm tasks to be under taken. According to the
season we have planted, weeded, harvested, riddled and sacked potatoes.
We have carted and stacked straw and hay in summer, then fed, watered,
bedded and mucked out sheep, cows and pigs for the rest of the year. We
discuss
the health of the animals and the signs of problems to look for and how
to read an animal's behaviour for personal safety. We remind each other
of safety considerations each time a job is performed. We try to offer a
variety of work each day to maintain interest and allow some choice.
The MFT team share drink breaks and lunch with us in our community
kitchen. The team are now relaxed and self-confident and able to chat
and joke with the community members they come across. We enjoy their
company and can always use extra pairs of hands on our labour intensive
organic farm. The routine of hosting the team once a week encourages us
to plan the work to be done and can motivate us to take on jobs that we
might otherwise put off. The experienced advice of our Senior Support
Worker has also been useful and offers another angle on a problem.
We hope MFT continue to come and work with us!
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