Rhubarb Farm gets £300,000 lottery cash boost

Rhubarb Farm at Nether Langwith has been awarded £315,284 by the Reaching Communities strand of the Big Lottery Fund for work with people with long-term needs.

Jennie Street, Managing Director of Rhubarb Farm said, “This award will help the Farm make a bigger impact on more people.

“There is a huge demand for our support because many people fall through the nets of other drug support or mental health or ex-offender organisations, and we are their last resort.”

The Farm is a horticultural social enterprise which supports people who have mental ill health, learning disability, are recovering drug and alcohol misusers, ex-offenders, older people who are socially isolated or have dementia, and school students who are struggling with their behaviour at school.

The Farm grows over 50 varieties of fruit and vegetables which it sells locally including to Welbeck Farm Shop and local cafes and restaurants.

A service user, Paul, from Warsop, said “If it hadn’t been for Rhubarb Farm I wouldn’t be here.

They gave me a purpose for living after having two hip and two knee replacements and being told I was no good for work anymore.

“My depression lifted after going to the Farm and I have lost weight and become much fitter.

“I have made so many friends at the Farm.”