Heeley City Farm facts for kids
Heeley City Farm is a special kind of farm located in Heeley, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. It's called a city farm because it's right in the middle of a city! This farm is run by the local community. It helps people learn new skills, find jobs, and offers fun activities for young people.
The farm started in 1981. It was built on land that was supposed to be used for a new road, called the Heeley bypass. But the road was never built. So, the community decided to use the land for something good instead!
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What You Can Find at Heeley City Farm
Heeley City Farm is a very green and active place. It has a small farm that uses power from the wind and sun. The farm also runs different projects that help the environment and the community. While the main farm is in Heeley, its work now reaches all over Sheffield and even into the wider South Yorkshire area. They help out at places like Wortley walled garden and Meersbrook.
Learning and Fun for Everyone
For over 25 years, Heeley City Farm has been teaching people about nature, healthy living, food, and farming. Each year, about 5,000 schoolchildren visit the farm to learn. Thousands of adults also come to explore and learn new things.
South Yorkshire Energy Centre
In 2006, the South Yorkshire Energy Centre (SYEC) opened at the farm. This centre shows how we can use renewable energy, like solar and wind power. It also teaches about building homes in a way that is good for the planet. The centre offers advice and courses for builders, homeowners, and even school groups.
Green Space and Community Support
Heeley City Farm keeps a much-needed green space alive in the city. It helps with recycling and offers ways to live a healthy life. You can also find a garden centre, a cafe, and a charity shop there.
The farm provides daily care and training for up to 20 adults who have learning difficulties. It also offers job training in gardening for up to 100 adults who are looking for work. Around 2,000 young people, including those not in school, take part in activities at the farm. Over 100 people regularly volunteer their time to help out.
Helping the Community Thrive
Heeley City Farm sees itself as a social enterprise. This means it's a business that aims to help people, not just make money. It focuses on supporting those who need it most in the community.
The farm runs training programs, including help with language and basic skills. It also creates jobs by starting small businesses. The farm especially helps adults who have been unemployed for a long time. It also supports people with learning difficulties and young people who face challenges in getting skills and jobs.
Digging Our Roots Project
The farm recently started an exciting project called "Digging Our Roots." This program teaches young people about British history and archaeology.
Rebuilding an Iron Age Roundhouse
As part of this project, they began to rebuild an Iron Age Roundhouse. This special building started to take shape on October 31, 2008. It was finished in early 2011. Students and experts from the Archaeology Department and the Archaeological Society at the University of Sheffield were involved. They used the project to study how people lived in the Iron Age.
