Sainsbury's South Molton

Apple Tree Farm has been operating since mid-2018, providing educational and therapeutic opportunities for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, mental health challenges, and those experiencing social or economic disadvantage. In January 2020 the organisation was incorporated as a Community Interest Company, reflecting our commitment to operating as a community-focused organisation dedicated to supporting young people and families in North Devon. At the farm we provide opportunities for children and young people aged 6–18 to engage in practical, task-based activities that help them develop new skills, confidence and self-belief. Our approach is nurturing and person-centred, allowing young people to progress at their own pace within a safe and supportive environment where learning and personal development can flourish. By March 2020, at the start of the first COVID-19 lockdown, the farm was supporting around 40 young people each week through a variety of sessions and was receiving referrals from schools, the local authority, the NHS and other local organisations. During the summer of 2020 we welcomed nearly 30 children through funded sessions provided by Devon County Council’s Small Grant Scheme. During this time we became aware that some children were arriving hungry, often without having eaten breakfast. Through this work the farm has secured additional funding which enabled us to develop a fully operational kitchen with two cooking stations. This facility has become a central hub of activity at the farm, allowing children and young people to develop practical life skills through cooking and shared meals. These opportunities have enabled us to continue supporting young people who are often at risk of marginalisation, providing meaningful experiences that build confidence, independence and well-being. Through our work we have become increasingly aware of the social and economic challenges faced by families in our local community, and we remain committed to providing life-enhancing opportunities for the children, young people and families we support.

Run by the YMCA, South Molton Community Fridge & Cafe has been set up to tackle food waste - a major issue in the UK. It is not a food bank. It offers the opportunity for supermarkets, local businesses and members of the public to donate fresh, good quality surplus food, which would otherwise be wasted, and makes it freely available for anyone. This fosters a spirit of sharing and mutual support within the community, reducing food waste and helping to make a positive social impact in the town. Our vision is for South Molton Community Fridge & Cafe to be a place of sharing and connection. As it establishes, so too will the social hub around it, promoting community support and activities.

Inspire South West is driven by a belief in the potential of every individual. We are passionate about inspiring and empowering young people and families to live full and enriching lives. We believe that:- *Young people thrive, given the right opportunity and skills *Families want to succeed and want the best for their children *There are always strengths that can be built on and nurtured *Families grow and change, given the right support Inspire South West specialises in working with young people and families to achieve lasting change. We reframe their circumstances, identify and develop transferrable skills and build resilience. Young people and their families are subsequently more informed and equipped to overcome barriers to change and work towards achievable goals. We work through a strengths-based approach which shifts the focus from the negative to the positive and, in so doing, anchors new patterns of insight and behaviour. We build the team around the young person and their family, working with schools and other agencies to raise aspirations and attainment and improve well-being. Key to our success is helping young people identify what they want to achieve long term. Change begins when young people can see why this is relevant to their hopes and dreams. We help them to think about the first steps they need to take and how others can help them achieve their goals. We then act as a bridge between the young person, their parents, schools and others. We help everyone to gain insight into the young person’s context and reality and then chart a course where success drives change. By motivating and inspiring young people to make that change, they can experience reward and recognition that encourages them to overcome negatives cycles of behaviour.