Two open evenings are being held for would-be volunteers to learn about how they could get involved. Lindsay Quayle, Volunteer Coordinator at The Children's Centre, said:

"We are hoping to hear from volunteers who have farming experience or skills and knowledge which will be useful to projects at the Community Farm.

"For example, we would love to hear from those with building and gardening skills, but also those who have experience in caring. We also need drivers with a clean licence to help transport children to and from the Community Farm.

"Volunteers who do give their time must be dependable and be able to commit to giving up a few hours of their spare time each week - but they will be working on a great project which will be as much fun for the volunteers as it will be for the children who visit the farm."

Lindsay stressed that all volunteers would be given training and support from full-time staff.

Volunteers will work in a supporting role and will not be asked to lead groups.

The Community Farm open evenings are on Tuesday August 23 and Wednesday August 24 from 4pm to 6pm. Just go along to the Community Farm which is at Wallberry Farm on the Carnane Estate just off the Old Castletown Road in Douglas.

The Community Farm is run by Chrissy Cannell, Farm Development Officer, and Nigel Revill, Farm Activity Worker. Initial funding for the Community Farm was obtained from the Rank Foundation, the Manx Lottery Trust and the Ann Harrison Charitable Trust, which enabled the project to get off the ground.  

The farm is a charitable project of The Children's Centre and will require on-going fundraising and the assistance of volunteers to help develop further projects.

For more information about volunteering at the Community Farm contact Lindsay Quayle, Volunteer Coordinator at The Children's Centre, by calling 01624 843762 or emailing lindsayquayle@thechildrenscentre.org.im

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