The Great Outdoors at Snakehall Farm

Did you listen in?

Did you listen live to the BBC Radio Cambridgeshire’s Great Outdoors programme on Sunday 28th May?

Well if you didn’t you missed the most fabulous farm in Cambridgeshire being showcased by Amir! But do not miss out as you can listen back to the show on BBC Sounds for 28 days or click to hear our captured edit, the soundbites of Snakehall Farm:

The Prospects Trust at Snakehall Farm as interviewed by Amir Suleman on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

Unwrapped – Finalist in the Farm Shop & Deli Awards 2023

Farm Shop & Deli Show has unveiled the regional finalists in its 2023 Retailer Awards – comprising some of the UK’s best loved specialist retailers, pillars of their respective communities and champions of great produce and sustainable practice. 

An esteemed panel of judges have taken into consideration the ways in which retailers have played an important role in supporting and developing their staff, before creating their shortlist of regional finalists, whittled down from hundreds of entries. Executive Director of The Prospects Trust said “opening the invite to a national award at such a prestigious trade show made us whoop with delight. The trade show at the NEC was where our initial ideas took shape, finding the scales, till, the refill wall and even suppliers over 4 years ago. Unwrapped is a social enterprise GREENgrocery combining the best deli style food, creating a new way to shop local, seasonal and sustainable for Ely, Cambridgeshire, we have our fingers crossed we may even scoop an award”.

The 68 successful businesses span 12 categories and nine UK regions, with some regions awarding ‘Best retailer’ to both small and large retailers. Prospects Trust Unwrapped Shop Manager Clare Rees said “its just super to be shortlisted and share the accolade with my great team of staff, Co-workers, volunteers and of course our supportive customers, we have even scheduled some much needed maintenance work in the shop while we close to attend the show”.

Co-workers (people with additional needs) are part of the workforce at Unwrapped

Back for 2023 the Awards will be selecting their ‘Newcomer of the Year’ as well as the return of the ‘Retailer of the Year’ accolade. These and the regional winners will be revealed live from Farm Shop & Deli Show, at the NEC Birmingham on Tuesday 25th April 2023, in what promises to be a thrilling celebration of the sector. A small team from The Prospects Trust Unwrapped are attending the show and are excited to take part in the award ceremony on Tuesday.

Take a look at the shortlisted finalists here: https://event.farmshopanddelishow.co.uk/live/en/page/finalist-shortlist

The finalists by region in full:

East Anglia

The Prospects Trust Unwrapped

Fodder

Friday Street Farm Shop

Poplar Nurseries

River Colne Food Co

The Goat Shed Farm Shop & Kitchen

The Grundisburgh Dog Delicatessen Ltd

The Norfolk Deli

Midlands

Aubrey Allen

Bells Farm Shop

Broad Bean Delicatessen

Canalside Farm, Shop & Cafe

Croots Farm Shop

Delilah Fine Foods Ltd

Drapers Lane Delicatessen

Farndon Fields Farm Shop

Harp Lane Deli

Reunion Deli

Stoughton Grange Farm Shop and Distillery

The Chuckling Cheese Company

Welbeck Farm Shop

North East

Coghlans at Barningham

Cut by Farmison & Co

George & Joseph Cheesemongers

Mainsgill Farmshop

Piper’s artisan sausages

Samuel Valentine – The Urban Food Hall

Yolk Farm

Northern Ireland
Clive’s Country corner

Colemans Farm Shop

Cunningham Butchers, Food Hall & Steak House

Millar Meats and Fine Foods

Quails fine foods

North West

Bells fishmongers ltd

Cheshire Smokehouse Limited

Chorlton Cheesemongers Ltd

Country Harvest

Gazegill Organics

Kami’s West Derby

Lovingly Artisan Bakery

Low Sizergh Barn

Roast Mutton

Scotland

Belhaven Smokehouse

Kj’s Bothy Bakery

Macauley’s Fruit and Veg Merchant

The House of Bruar

The Kedar Pantry

South East

Cheese Etc, The Pangbourne Cheese Shop

Cobbs Farm Shop, Cobbs at Winchester, Cobbs at Englefield, Cobbs at Manydown

Cowdray Farm Shop & cafe

Flock & Herd Butchery and Deli

Hampshire Artisan Foods Ltd – trading as Hampshire Deli & Farm Shop

Macknade Food Hall

Melrose & Morgan

The Grumpy Goat

The Hungry Guest

The Kitchen Food Company

Valentina Deli

South West

Bay Leaves Larder

Darts Farm

Durslade Farm Shop

Flourish Foodhall & Kitchen

Great Cornish Food Store

Greendale Farm Shop

Pipers Farm

Wales

Bodnant Welsh Food

Forage Farm Shop & Kitchen

Nolton Cross Farm Shop

To find out more about Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards, visit https://www.farmshopanddelishow.co.uk/awards.

About The UK Food & Drink Shows: 

The UK Food & Drink Shows unite four shows under one roof, covering the complete supply chain in three comprehensive days of insight, innovation and inspiration. Farm Shop & Deli Show joins National Convenience Show, Foodex Manufacturing Solutions and Food & Drink Expo, to create an unmissable proposition for progressive food and drink professionals across the industry.  

While the content of each show has been tailored to meet the exacting requirements of its respective audience, The UK Food & Drink Shows are united by four overarching themes: Health & Nutrition, Sustainability, Technology and Consumer Insight; issues faced unilaterally that will filter down into every part of the show discourse. Find out more about Farm Shop & Deli Show at: https://www.farmshopanddelishow.co.uk/

Farm Shop & Deli Show is part of the UK Food & Drink Shows, run by William Reed Business Media.

Smiliest Server Award scooped by Prospects Trust Unwrapped Staff on behalf of the Co-workers

In Ely’s beautiful riverside Maltings at what is now the East Cambs annual glitterati calendar event of the year, The Ely Heroes Awards, our very sun shiny smiley Gem represented the whole team of Unwrapped and won the prestigious Smiliest Server of the Year award. Supported by Shop Manager Clare and fellow Retail Support Worker Mandy, Gem shone like the absolute gem she is (and maybe shook with nerves) as she was presented with the Ely Hero award on Friday 23rd September 2022. Gem wanted to accept the award on behalf of all of the amazing Co-workers (people with additional needs) she works alongside at Prospects Trust Unwrapped, in the heart of Ely. Gem works Monday to Wednesday, helping Co-workers serve customers the doorstep wedged toasties, flaky vegan sausage rolls and cappuccino smiles Unwrapped is now famous for in our super city of Ely. Gem is also known to belt into song, get Co-workers dancing on the shop floor and always brings a bit of pizzazz to a Monday morning. If you haven’t seen Ely’s Smiliest Server in action we suggest you get refilling and refuelling at Prospects Unwrapped today!

To show how The Prospects Trust retails differently
Gem and Co-worker making barista pro coffee at Unwrapped, Ely

Farmer Mark formally represented The Prospects Trust at the event from turning Hero to Judge for this year’s awards. Back in 2019 Mark scooped Colleague of the Year and this year he had the humbling task of interviewing all the candidates in the Caring Companion category. Mark has been a dedicated member of social care for most of his working life and he was delighted to meet inspirational figures making the care sector even more caring.

The Prospects Trust wishes to thank all of the people, organisations and businesses who continue to make Ely Heroes Awards the most beautiful experience for our local super people and a huge congratulations to everyone nominated in this years awards.

Unwrap Your Potential in Retail this Autumn!

Course 1 – Retail Unwrapped – 6 week course from 12 Sept 2022

Cambridgeshire Skills Course Code: CSX3D102  

Starting: Monday 12 September 2022 

Duration: 6 sessions over 6 week(s)

Time: 10:00 

Location: Lighthouse Ely  

Cost: See Description.  


For over 19s looking to step into retail

How to Enrol

Description

This (informal/accredited) course will start to build your confidence and introduce you to some of the skills and knowledge you will learn on the Award in Retail. You will learn to set personal learning goals, plan for progression in learning and work and refresh your skills ready for accredited learning.

To join this course you will need to be working in either a paid or voluntary job. You can apply to work with Prospects Unwrapped as part of this course package. For more information and to apply for a placement with Prospects Unwrapped please see:
https://prospectstrust.org.uk/prospects-trust-unwrapped/

You can still apply for this course if you have your own work placement.

Entry Requirements
There are no requirements for the course.


What will this course cover?
Your tutor will help you to set your own, individual learning goals that will support you towards achieving your qualification/course aims.

During the course you will cover:
– Set your own personal learning goals
– Plan for your own progression in learning and work
– Improve your communication and team working skills
– Start developing your skills for work in a retail environment

What could I do next?
You could progress to the Award in Retail.

You could also progress to an accredited IT, English or Maths course or onto another course which will help you advance in both the work environment and lifestyle.

TO ENROL FOR THIS COURSE:
Please click the How to Enrol button above
Or, call our friendly and dedicated Admissions Team on 01353 613013  

Time and duration

Start Date: 12 September 2022
Start Time: 10:00
Day: Monday Morning
First Lesson Duration: 05:00
Total Weeks: 6

Location

Lighthouse Ely  
13 Lynn Road  
Ely
Cambridgeshire  
CB7 4EG  

Course 2 Prospects Unwrapped – Award in Business and Retail – 10 Week Course from October 2022

Cambridgeshire Skills Course Code: CSX3D101  

Starting: Monday 31 October 2022 

Duration: 12 sessions over 12 week(s)

Time: 10:00 

Location: Lighthouse Ely  

Cost: See Description.  


How to Enrol

Description

This informal course will start to build your confidence and introduce you to some of the skills and knowledge you will learn on the Award in Retail. You will learn to set personal learning goals, plan for progression in learning and work and refresh your skills ready for accredited learning. To join this course, you will need to be working in either a paid or voluntary job. You can apply to work with Prospects Unwrapped as part of this course package. For more information and to apply for a placement with Prospects Unwrapped please see:

https://prospectstrust.org.uk/prospects-trust-unwrapped/
You can still apply for this course if you have your own work placement.

Entry Requirements
There are no requirements for the course.

What will this course cover?
Your tutor will help you to set your own, individual learning goals that will support you towards achieving your qualification/course aims.

During the course you will cover:
– Work in a real working environment
– Learn how to keep yourself and other people safe at work and work with food safely
– Improve your communication and team working skills
– You may have the opportunity to work towards a Food Safety Certificate

What could I do next?
You could apply for an introductory retail job. The job would be likely to be supervised with a low level of responsibility and could involve you working in a team and on your own.

You could progress to an accredited IT, English or Maths course or onto another course which will help you advance in both the work environment and lifestyle.

TO ENROL FOR THIS COURSE:
Please click the How to Enrol button above
Or, call our friendly and dedicated Admissions Team on 01353 613013  

Time and duration

Start Date: 31 October 2022
Start Time: 10:00
Day: Monday Morning
First Lesson Duration: 05:00
Total Weeks: 12

Location

Lighthouse Ely  
13 Lynn Road  
Ely
Cambridgeshire  
CB7 4EG  

WE-HIDE IN THE RE-WILD WOOD

Join our Crowd and donate to kick start our re-wilding community Hide-away today: https://www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/p/the-hide-away-at-snakehall-farm

Our Aviva Crowdfunder is LIVE!

We have started to GO WILD with nature here at Snakehall Farm! Established in 1989, our Organic Care farm nestled in the Cambridgeshire Countryside has always been a haven; a place where people, plants and opportunities bloom together.  Supporting over 75 people with additional needs on a busy working farm, every season brings new challenges and opportunities but everyday in everyway our people connect with nature (and mud lots of mud).  In 2022 we started re-wilding a small triangle field of our farm site, the soil quality not being fabulous for organic growing but still a beautiful corner of our small 18 acre Snakehall Farm.  With saplings and hedges already planted our next phase is to create a community hub, “we-hide” which will form as a visitor centre, a Co-worker activity base and a way to keep our project interactive as it develops.  Over the next five years our Re-wild Community Wood will grow and with your support we can create a shelter, information point and new training space open to all. 

Imagine a field of green, bugs and bees too, can you see it? Imagine cool woods, crunching underfoot with a bounce of a hare. Imagine space to breathe, drink in the nature, free to roam. Imagine opportunities for Nature Rangers; people with additional needs learning to protect and grow the natural environment so important for all of our futures. Don’t imagine, act now and help us develop a small corner of Cambridgeshire to do nature right!

A New Space for Therapeutic Horticulture at Snakehall Farm this Autumn

We are building something new at Snakehall Farm.

We are creating The Orchard – a new complex needs safe space for therapeutic horticulture for Co-workers with profound or multiple disabilities. Working on a 1:1 or small group provision, The Orchard will nurture in nature while creating small work based activities linked to wider growing plan of Snakehall Farm.

Cabin Viva Danny and Snakehall Farm Co-workers show just how big our new Co-worker Zone in the Orchards will be when built

We are recruiting for a Therapeutic Horticulture Lead to help shape this new provision and we have lots of interest in new placement starters from September 2022. If you are interested in the role to help shape our Complex Needs provision on Snakehall Farm please check out our vacancies page. If you are interested in a supported placement in The Orchards or want to know more about how we grow opportunities for people with additional needs take a look at our Placements Information or call the office on 01638741551 for more details or to arrange a farm tour.

We are fundraising to complete this project over the summer. We have received funding from many donors and are seeking additional capital grants and donations. You can donate online on our Project Page https://localgiving.org/charity/prospectstrust/project/TherapeuticHorticultureOrchard/ If you are interested in supporting the capital development of this and other projects at The Prospects Trust please contact Maz Baker on 01638741551 to discuss in more detail.

Where the Wild Things Can Grow: Re-wilding at Snakehall Farm 2022

Farmer Mark and Trustee Peter meet to discuss the possibilities in our triangle field of dreams

Snakehall Farm has always been a haven for all things green but this year we have a grand plan to go super green. No not just growing more beans, sprouts or salad.

This year we are going to grow wild!

We have secured £10,000 from Together for our Planet (Lottery Funding), we have an active Community Crowdfunder with Aviva and we have plan to transform our 7.5 acre field into a community green space with a difference. We are re-wilding, tree planting, bug spotting and carbon offsetting with our new project.

You can donate to our £3,000 Crowdfunder up until 29th June 2022, this will show you how close we are to reaching our target:

You can easily scan to donate to our Crowdfunder here:

We need lots of help! If you can donate your time, your skills, your tools or even plant hire we want to hear from you. Perhaps you can sponsor some larger trees or just want to offset your own carbon by helping us create a green space for the planet in a corner of Cambridgeshire.

We are going to continue to tend to the saplings in this field, add more hedges and plant bigger trees.

We are going to add wildflower meadows and a community meeting space in the heart of the field of green dreams.

We are going to add accessible pathways and mowed nature trails around the site.

We will dig two scrapes to help promote the biodiversity, with a pond dipping platform and seats to just drink in the fresh air.

Draft Plan of the Field

Please get in touch if you are able to support our field of dreams and help us grow wild.

Unwrapped grows kerb appeal with Aviva Crowdfunder this spring

The Team at Prospects Trust Unwrapped in Ely are getting excited about improving the eco credentials and kerb appeal of their unique Refill Store and Farm Cafe with your help! With only a few more days to go the project needs a few more supporters to join the eco-crowd.

To find out more about the springy green new shoots at Unwrapped and how to back a great project please visit:

https://www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/p/grow-on-in-at-unwrapped

Prospects Trust’s Enterprise Kitchen is about to MAKE SOME NOISE!

Our Enterprise Kitchen at Snakehall Farm is going to transform Learning Disability Work Based support one vegan roll at a time thanks to a grant from Global Make Some Noise this springtime.

The Prospects Trust is a very lucky recipient of both a project and a core grant from Global Make Some Noise, which is going to help develop work based learning and catering kitchen skills development for young people with additional needs and/or autism.

Chocolate Brownies being made by Co-worker in Prospects Trust Enterprise Kitchen

Global’s Make Some Noise, the official charity of the Media & Entertainment group Global, has distributed grants to 60 small charities and projects across the UK following its determined fundraising efforts in 2021. Thanks to the incredible generosity of listeners across Global’s radio brands – Capital, Heart, LBC, Classic FM, Smooth, Radio X, Capital XTRA and Gold, The Prospects Trust located in Cambridgeshire has received £45,000 from Global’s Make Some Noise to support its vital work to provide meaningful work and support to people with additional needs.

The money granted to The Prospects Trust will fund the development of The Enterprise Kitchen a training kitchen at Snakehall Farm, creating 1 part time job and providing new placement opportunities for people with additional needs and enable life-changing benefits to families and individuals in the local community. It will also cover the cost of a programme of community and volunteer events hosted at Snakehall Farm throughout 2022.

Maz Baker, Strategic Development Manager at The Prospects Trust said “The past two years our rural local charity has had to really dig deep to survive to thrive, with all the challenges thrown at our care farm by the pandemic, this boost from Global’s Make Some Noise, is going to get us back on track, transforming lives differently and growing opportunity for our Co-workers, people with additional needs. Spring has sprung at Snakehall Farm thanks to this grant”.

Now in its eighth year of service, Global’s Make Some Noise has supported over 400 local charities whose remarkable work has helped a total of 150,000 people across the UK. The money raised has paid for food banks, befriending projects for the elderly and isolated, cancer wellbeing programmes, domestic abuse refuges, employment training and physical therapy for people with disabilities. 

Emma Bradley, Director of Global Goodness at Global said: “It’s been an incredibly tough couple of years for everyone. With the cost of living continuing to increase many more people will turn to local groups for help, putting extra strain on their resources. So we’re pleased to be able to help small charities at the centre of communities and will continue to raise money and awareness for their vital work.”

For more information about supported placements in our Enterprise Kitchen visit our Placement Information page or call our Charity HQ on 01638741551.

Our Enterprise Kitchen crew are taking Wholesale Orders for cakes, bakes, preserves and chutneys made onsite at Snakehall Farm in our 5* catering hub, for more information please email us at Unwrapped[@]prospectstrust.org.uk or pop into Prospects Trust Unwrapped, Ely Monday to Saturday.

Keep Tilly Tractor Farming!

We have made a “Doorstep” Co-worker film! Last month we delivered Prospects Parcels to our socially isolated Co-workers, safely being supported in their homes during lockdown. We are all missing having our Co-workers on site at Snakehall Farm, serving customers at Unwrapped and keeping everyone’s garden’s tidy in the community. It is the strangest of times so we wanted to share a little joy and connect our people back to our charity.

We are a CARE farm still farming, we are a SOCIAL enterprise still trading but without the people its the trickiest of times. Please share our Keep Tilly Tractor Farming film, please Donate if you can and please stay safe.

  • A big thank you to:
  • all the Co-worker cast (and the behind the scenes support crew – their families and carers),
  • to all the Co-workers who didn’t want to be captured in film but have their own Tilly on a Stick at home and can’t wait to come back,
  • to all those who have supported The Prospects Trust over the past 30 years and are continuing to support us right now,
  • to all of our new and loyal customers who are shopping local and keeping our enterprise trading,
  • to all of our new fundraisers and donors picking a small charity to support we seriously do a little dance for every £5 that gets donated
  • to all of our staff (either staring in the film), working behind the scenes or trying to turn their own gardens into farms during furlough,
  • to our Trustee Board for allowing the already stretched resources to make time for this joy,
  • And a special mention to the talents of our Support Workers Adam T and Adam V for the film and music magic.

Bad Hair? Do Care?

We are launching a new HAIR RAISING fundraiser and we need your support.

https://localgiving.org/appeal/BadHairDoCare/

Simply donate your lockdown Haircut or beard trim cost savings to our Bad Hair Do Care fundraising appeal and help keep our farm growing while our Co-workers are socially shielding.

Step 1: Donate your haircut cost online at: https://localgiving.org/appeal/BadHairDoCare/

Step 2: Share your Bad Hair photo on our @TillyTractor Facebook Page with your donation AND nominate your usual hairdresser or barber* to win a Produce Hamper full of goodies from The Prospects Trust at Snakehall Farm & Prospects Trust Unwrapped. Use the #BadHairDoCare.

Step 3: Grab the scissors and a bowl………………………..there’s only a week between a bad and a good haircut!

*for logistic reasons only please ensure your nominated hairdresser/barber is based in a 20 mile radius of CB25 0HZ or CB7 4EG,

Unwrapping the Aviva Crowdfunder

We have until lunchtime of the April 22nd to raise £3000 in pledges. We want to Unwrap Unwrapped further and we need your help! Click here to go to the Aviva Crowdfunder Page and pledge your support to The Prospects Trust.

Prospects Trust Unwrapped opened in September 2019 and has started a refill revolution for the local consumers of Ely, but more vitally, it has become the little shop where magic happens.  The Prospects Trust wanted to open a REAL shop to provide REAL work-based training opportunities for people with additional needs. It wanted to create an outlet for all the organic produce sown, grown and harvested by their Snakehall Farm Co-workers and it wanted to give Ely a different way to shop.  In just six months, Unwrapped has been created, launched and now offers 18 placements per week to individuals with additional needs. Unwrapped has already supported 4 learners gain accredited qualifications in retail and food safety and has just enrolled a further 7 learners for 2020.  Unwrapped has created retail opportunities for over 15 local eco artisans in their Craftisan Pods.  Unwrapped has created a sustainable solution to single-use plastic with its novel Refill Larder Wall and loose produce baskets. 

Co-workers creating new dishes from local produce

Now we want to UNWRAP the outside.  We wish to transform the outside of the shop front into an accessible cafe area, with raised bed planters and cycle racks, doggie area and pushchair park.  We want to offer more space for more locals to linger longer in our unique Unwrapped store.  Your support will see us transform an old inaccessible gravel area into an upcycled, recycled and accessible seating area.  By increasing the seating area outside we aim to attract more customers to be served by more Co-workers, helping us put their new found retail skills to the test with the ultimate aim of getting paid employment for our Unwrapped Trainees in their local community.

Unwrap your potential

Prospects Trust Trainee Placements are now available, starting from September 2019, we are bringing a new way to learn on to the high street of Ely. We are looking to recruit 20 new Co-worker Trainees to be our first cohort to gain accredited qualifications in retail and food safety.

Trainee Placement Poster

Take a look at our flexible training programme, with 2 day placements starting from £50 per week. Download our Placement Pack or contact us on 01638 741551 for more information.

BBC Radio Cambridgeshire “Make a Difference Awards” 2023 needs your nominations NOW!

Do you know someone who lives and works in Cambridgeshire that makes a positive difference to your life? Well now is the time to nominate them to share their care and recognise their talents, time and commitment to making Cambridgeshire the best county to live, work and learn together in.

In 2022 The Prospects Trust was nominated and we took the van full of very excited (and extremely glam n glittery, sorry Kevin if you posh shirt got sparkly) Co-workers to the award ceremony in Peterborough Cathedral. With Prospects Trust staff and Trustee Suze supporting; our Co-workers enjoyed the experience of an awards ceremony and lots of yummy canapes (Alex is a buffet ninja in a posh frock). Co-worker Amy still talks about the HipOpera entertainment and the MAD trophy sits pride of place back at our charity HQ in the Snakehall Farm Tea Barn.

We asked Co-workers Anna and Amy what they thought of being nominated and they said it was “exciting and made them proud of their workplace”, Co-worker Kevin said “everyone should nominate again this year as it was a really nice evening”. Alex would just love to represent The Prospects Trust at another award ceremony but we are not sure if it was the canapes or the conversation that made her night. Alex chatted with so many guests at the award ceremony back in 2022 and told everyone about the unique eco organic credentials of her farm.

So if you know someone who makes a difference – nominate now: BBC – Make a Difference

Unwrapping a WOW Wednesday

Everyday at Unwrapped is a learning day – today our Co-workers have excelled in the kitchen and bested the beans as a barista pro. When you shop at Prospects Unwrapped you pay it forward in real rewards.

And at the end of a busy day Jack’s job list sums it all up perfectly…..

Happy Face at Team Unwrapped on Wow Wednesday

An Illuminating Day at Snakehall Farm

Thanks to a corporate volunteering work party from Illumina and the helping hands of our volunteer Al our Far Field Re-wilding project was well tended today. With a field of whips already planted, our team of helping hands took our rather retro tools to the very dry soil helping to ensure the wild weeds were away from the new saplings, boosting the survival rates of these new trees of the future. We spotted lots of new growth and the skies were filled with very beautiful Marbled White butterflies too, we have named our favourite Mabel.

Other volunteers helped with tending the brassicas and gave everywhere a much needed soak to keep the organic vegetables growing this very hot summer. We won’t mention the chicken hugs.

Our Co-workers presented all the volunteers with some Rosie Posies of flowers picked and arranged fresh from the farm this afternoon as a little thank you.

To find out more about our Rewilding Project read here, and to find out more about Corporate Volunteering Days visit our page for more details.