Crimsham Farm project in Bognor Regis launches crowdfunding appeal

Crimsham Farm is an open access working farm which welcomes veterans of the armed forces and their families, people with special educational needs and many other groups within the community.

The 26-acre farm space is currently home to chickens, saddle pigs and four mini pigs, which visitors are able to interact with.

Craig Pinkney, who is part of the management team, said being at the farm had a big impact on people’s emotional wellbeing.

“People feel better about themselves,” he said. “It’s been really positive.”

Some of the children who visited would normally not engage with people, but in this new environment, he said: “They are not as anxious, they are coming out of themselves.”

The 50-year-old, who has worked in social work for nearly 30 years, said his son Connor, who has autism, had really ‘come into his own’ since becoming involved in the project and being supported to make his own decisions.

“It’s been an amazing journey and it just keeps getting better and better,” Mr Pinkney said.

Boots have been on the ground at the farm for about three months now and already a group of around 35 people are visiting every Saturday to help out.

Mr Pinkney said the farm would be free on entry for visitors, with donations encouraged, to ensure the space was accessible for all.

Going forward, the farm plans to work with several schools in order to provide SEN provision.

Supporting veterans is a key aspect of the project and Mr Pinkney said they planned to open ten glamping pods to create a respite centre for veterans and their families.

Watch the video to find out more about some of the other initiatives taking place at the farm.

The project has launched a crowdfunding appeal asking people to pledge as little as a pound towards the scheme, which will go towards
funding a pre-fab welfare centre at the site which can accommodate up to 20 students at a time.

Support the fundraiser at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/crimsham-farm-pound-a-person-pledge

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