Farms for City Children

For over 50 years, Farms for City Children’s mission has been to give children the chance to discover the joy of spending time in nature and to understand that they belong to a wider world. At the heart of our work is a simple aim: to empower young people to grow into curious, courageous and compassionate citizens.

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A golden opportunity to support us on our 50th Anniversary!

As part of our 50 Voices series, Farm School Leader Charlie Harrison reflects on how a sense of belonging grows on the farm.

From the first shared meal to caring for animals together, children quickly become part of a working community—taking responsibility, building confidence, and discovering what they’re capable of. Small moments, like overcoming fears or proudly completing daily tasks, build into something much bigger.

For many, it’s these shared experiences—feeling useful, trusted and included—that stay with them long after they leave, helping them find a sense of home both on the farm and within themselves. For more information on our work and stories like this, please head to our website here: https://farmsforcitychildren.org/50-voices-this-is-our-place/ Together, we can connect thousands more children and young people with food, farming and nature for another fifty years and beyond.

Farms for City Children Celebrates its 50th Anniversary

This year, Farms for City Children celebrates its 50^th anniversary; half a century of giving children and young people the chance to step away from their everyday lives and experience the transformative power of the natural world.

Founded by Sir Michael Morpurgo and Clare Morpurgo, our charity offers immersive, week-long residentials on working farms in Devon, Gloucestershire and Pembrokeshire. Here, children and young people experiencing disadvantage and inequality take part in the full rhythm of farm life. From caring for animals, growing food, exploring biodiversity and regenerative farming practices, and building confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging.

For many, it’s the first time they’ve left home. For some, it’s the first time they’ve felt truly capable.

As we approach our 50^th year, we’re inviting businesses to be part of the next chapter. By partnering with us through Work for Good, your business can: - Donate a percentage of sales - Run a fundraising campaign - Support children to access life-changing outdoor learning experiences - Partner your business with a local school in your area Every contribution helps us reach more young people who would otherwise miss out.

What our young people and visiting teachers say: “Usually I feel neutral, bored. But here I feel human. I feel set free.” - Pupil, Granton Primary, Lambeth

“Being outdoors makes me feel calm and happy and when I do more activities, I feel that I can believe in myself.” - Pupil, St George and St Teresa Primary, Solihull

“Coming here is like getting out of your box. It confronts you therefore it brings your barriers down. It is levelling, that is why it works. Everyone is in it together. Some of our children have the most traumatic lives. Here they can see an alternative and they can see that they are good at it.” - Lead adult, Imagine If youth group, Liverpool, 2025

“Taking responsibility for one’s environment is a great foundation for getting on in life and it runs through everything that you do. The experience the children received is such a contrast to their lives in London and so the world has been made that little bit bigger for all of them.” - Lead teacher, Crampton Primary School, Southwark, 2025

“Our students were all selected for this experience based around their social, emotional and mental health needs. To witness them overcoming barriers and building resilience has been truly heartwarming. Some of our students made significant changes over the week and found the courage to step well and truly out of their comfort zone which resulted in them experiencing a life changing week.” - Southmoor Primary School, Sunderland, 2025

About us

Founded by Clare and Michael Morpurgo, Farms for City Children is an educational charity supporting children and young people aged 8–19 who experience disadvantage and inequality. Since 1976, over 105,000 young people have taken part in our transformative residential programmes at our heritage farms in Devon, Pembrokeshire, and Gloucestershire.

We know that children do better at school, have better relationships and better mental health when they spend time outdoors, for play and for learning. Yet children from minority ethnic groups, with neurodivergent issues, or who are living in poverty, rarely, if ever, spend time in green spaces. We exist to change this.

Each week gives children the chance to connect with nature, nurture their wellbeing, build practical skills and resilience, and develop positive expectations for their futures. Through hands-on, nature-friendly, and regenerative farming practices, they also gain a lifelong understanding of environmental stewardship and the importance of sustainable food systems.

A week spent as a young farmer is genuinely transformative, with benefits that last a lifetime. Children discover new confidence, improve social skills, and experience mental and physical wellbeing in ways they often cannot at school or home. They care for animals, tend crops, explore wildlife habitats, and engage in biodiversity activities such as beekeeping and birdwatching. They learn where food comes from, how it is grown, and how humans, animals, and the environment are interconnected.

These experiences foster curiosity, courage, and compassion. They help children feel capable, develop resilience, and build meaningful relationships with peers and adults alike. The skills and confidence gained on our farms stay with them long after they leave, sowing the seeds for a happy, healthy, and environmentally conscious adulthood. This aligns closely with Ofsted’s focus on improving outcomes for all learners, particularly those facing barriers to learning and wellbeing.

Without Farms for City Children, many young people who would benefit most from these experiences would never access the profound benefits of the countryside. We prioritise children living in the most deprived areas of England and Wales, including the 4.5 million children growing up in poverty across the UK. By focusing on these communities, we support schools and families, help tackle wider societal challenges, and grow a generation of young nature champions who might otherwise be left behind.