A once-neglected 100-acre farm near East Grinstead has been named a finalist in the BBC Make a Difference Awards after being transformed into an inclusive space for learning, practical skills, animal care and nature.
Duckyls Farm, run by Diagrama Community Services, has reached the final of the Environment category, with the winner due to be announced at a ceremony at The Chequer Mead Theatre in East Grinstead on 22 September.
The recognition comes little more than a year after work began to restore a site which had been unmanaged for decades.
When Diagrama took on the farm, blocked ditches were causing flooding, fences and buildings were in poor condition and areas were littered with old tyres, waste and unused equipment. Parts of the woodland had also become unsafe due to unmanaged trees and ash dieback.
Since then, ditches have been cleared, pathways made safe and buildings renovated. A former barn has been converted into a working classroom and kitchen, creating a space where people can develop practical and everyday life skills.
The farm is now home to alpacas, horses, goats, chickens and rabbits, with people attending the service involved in caring for the animals.
They also take part in growing vegetables, planting trees, maintaining the land and helping shape the farm's future, including decisions about what is grown and how different areas are developed.
Traditional land-management techniques are also being incorporated into longer-term plans to improve the environment for both people and wildlife.
David McGuire, CEO of Diagrama Foundation, said: “We are incredibly proud of the Duckyls Farm team and delighted that their work has been recognised.
“They have achieved an extraordinary transformation, turning a neglected and unsafe site into a place where people can learn, develop skills, care for animals and take real pride in their surroundings.
“What makes Duckyls particularly special is that the people we support are not simply visitors to the farm, they are actively involved in shaping its future.
“This recognition is a wonderful acknowledgement of their contribution, as well as the dedication and hard work of the whole team.”
The BBC Make a Difference Awards recognise individuals and organisations making a positive impact within their communities.
