On June 11th 2024, we brought three heritage farms and our beneficiaries, to central London for our first-ever Festival of Learning, in partnership with the Worshipful Company of Butchers.
With HRH Princess Royal, guest of honour, and our inspiring ambassador JB Gill in attendance, we celebrated nearly 50 years of enriching lives through immersive farm residential experiences. This event highlighted our journey since the charity’s inception in 1976 and showcased the impactful partnerships that have shaped our mission.
The Festival of Learning welcomed over 200 guests, including representatives from schools, charities, social enterprises, trusts, foundations, and corporate partners. We presented a promenade experience for visitors to participate in a multisensory and interactive experience that brought the farms to life at the magnificent Butchers’ Hall in the heart of London.
“What an extraordinary event – you managed to pull together so many fascinating folk in one venue and encapsulate the amazing work FFCC achieve perfectly. Hearing the children chat about their time on the farms was just wonderful – they were brimming with enthusiasm and so excited! It was equally insightful being able to hear first hand from the teachers what a difference those few days make and how it makes such a difference to their lives. Very humbling.“
Learning in Full Bloom:
An interactive promenade experience for guests & beneficiaries
An interactive promenade experience for guests & beneficiaries
On the main floor, guests were welcomed by stands representing our three heritage farms, with pupils from six primary schools eager to share their transformative experiences of a week of ‘muck and magic.’ The journey began with the delightful scent of flowers and produce grown in our gardens and polytunnels. Walking through flowered archways adorned with beneficiary insights in the form of pigs, dolphins, and birds, guests learned about beekeeping, participated in livestock machinery demonstrations, felt making, wool spinning, homemade tea infusions and soil investigation. They even experienced a virtual reality session that brought our Pembrokeshire farm to life. Guests were encouraged to fully immerse themselves in the world of Farms for City Children.
“I was thrilled that we could bring our students and the impact the day has had on them is immense. They were enthralled to learn about Livery Companies and about Butchers’ Hall. They had no idea that organisations like this existed and their history and incredible work and philanthropy. They were the best ambassadors too for both of our organisations – talking with passion and honesty about their experience and ambitions. I think they grew 2 inches taller today and I am so proud of them. To meet HRH The Princess Anne was the icing on the cake and it is a day we will all remember.“
Cultivating Connections:
The partnerships that make this all possible
The partnerships that make this all possible
The partnership floor was a dynamic space for fostering connections. We were delighted to be joined by the Ernest Cook Trust (Outdoor Week of Learning collaboration), Harper Adams University, 8Billionideas (Grow24 project), Nescot College, Bank of Montreal Capital Markets, and Tyler Grange. These partners have been instrumental in delivering projects, conducting impact and evaluation research, and creating funding opportunities. They play a crucial role in promoting outdoor education and fostering stronger connections to nature for children and young people.
The afternoon was rounded off with delicious refreshments provided by Aubrey Allen, The Jolly Hog, and Porky Whites, and our own talented farm teams.
“We wanted to send a huge thank you and congratulations for yesterday’s event! It was evident that so much thought and care went into organising it and we were enchanted by how you managed to bring a taste of the farms to The City.“
Growing Success:
Celebrating our festival and looking to the future
Celebrating our festival and looking to the future
The Festival of Learning was an extraordinary success, exceeding our expectations. As we approach our 50th anniversary in 2026, we look forward to continuing our mission of enriching children’s lives through meaningful access to food, farming and the natural environment and fostering dynamic partnerships in the years to come.
How to Support Farms for City Children
Every donation makes a huge difference. You can support us in the following ways:
Donate Today
Click the ‘donate’ button to the right or contact our fundraising team to make a direct transfer.
Become a regular donor
Support the charity on a monthly or yearly basis. You can sign up to become a regular donor on our website at farmsforcitychildren.org – click the ‘donate’ button to sign up.
Hold a fundraising event
Hold a fundraising event cake sale, a golf day, a school fundraiser – whatever you want to do, we will support you. Email us to let us know your plans and we will help to make your event a success.
Involve your company
We can engage your employees, customers, or stakeholders through a meaningful partnership. For more information email our corporate fundraising manager.
Leave a gift in your will
We appreciate the importance of leaving a gift in your will. To receive our free guide to leaving a gift in your will, please email our fundraising team.