A County Durham farm gets funding to become a training centre for autistic individuals, creating jobs and opportunities.
This project costs £4.4 million. It should create 60 plus jobs each year, offering training opportunities, too. The government supports this plan wholeheartedly.
Daniel Zeichner, the minister in charge of food security, said the government is happy to help NEAS build new facilities. People with neurodiversity will get support, helping them grow in their lives. It lets them explore careers in food and farming in the North East.
Only 3 in 10 autistic people have paid jobs, the lowest rate among disabled groups. The New Warlands Farm project solves this by offering real job chances for many. These opportunities include working with plants and animals, food making, hospitality, and retail.
Defra gave a £300,000 grant from their Farming Investment Fund. This fund aids farm businesses, supporting diversification and value-added products.
New Warlands Farm will make cider and apple juice, then brand and sell them. Mackenzie Thorpe, an artist and charity patron, will design the labels.
NEAS started a fundraising appeal called Growing Futures to aid the project. They already received over £1 million from independent groups.
Sir Peter Vardy pledged £500,000 to the project. Other groups gave grants, too. These include the Garfield Weston Foundation, The Wolfson Foundation, Edward Gostling Foundation, and Laing Family Trusts.
Paul Ramsbottom, who leads the Wolfson Foundation, said access to support helps a lot and lowers challenges autistic people face. Building New Warlands Farm helps more people find and keep work. This is why they are helping the project.
This development marks NEAS’s biggest project to date. It coincides with their 45th anniversary.
John Phillipson, the charity’s chief executive, says they are grateful for the support. He says foundations and trusts have been generous and that the project is vital. They cannot do it alone; these fundings make the project possible.