ONE of the allotment beds at a farm-based Hampshire charity has been freshly dug over, thanks to a team of big-hearted volunteers.

After learning how the Boaz Project was set up to provide training and experience in horticulture for adults with learning disabilities, Virgin Media employee Cecilia Ting got together a group of seven colleagues to volunteer for the day.

They spent a day at the 4.5-acre smallholding at Hill Farm near Sutton Scotney getting involved in everything from digging, feeding the chickens, collecting eggs and taking three resident donkeys for a walk. 

Thanks to their efforts, the weed-free bed is ready to be sown with seed by members who will enjoy tending the plot and harvesting produce in summer. Most of the high-quality fruit and veg grown on site is used to prepare healthy, shared lunches.

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The employees volunteered for the day as part of Virgin Media O2 ‘Take Five’ initiative, which offers all staff five paid volunteering days to support projects in their local community.

Liz Roper, IT manager at Virgin Media, said: “This is my first experience of working with people with learning disabilities and everyone has been so welcoming and friendly. On top of that we got to have a free hot lunch.” 

She added it was “shocking” to learn that nine out of ten adults with special needs are unemployed. “The ethos of this place is great.”

Founded in 2007 by the foster parents of a young man with Downs Syndrome, the Boaz Project was set up to provide training in horticulture for people who might move on to paid employment while providing a supportive placement for others. Volunteers work alongside members and staff growing plants and taking care of animals. Other activities include craft, cookery and woodwork.

For more information see boazproject.co.uk.