£300k grant to turn farm into autism training hub

The charity has plans to create a visitor attraction with a cider press, café and sustainable farm at the 78-acre New Warlands Farm in County Durham.

Just three in 10 autistic people are in paid employment in the UK – the lowest rate of any disability group.

The New Warlands Farm development will provide meaningful employment opportunities in horticulture, animal husbandry, food production, hospitality, and retail.

The £300,000 grant from the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) came from its Farming Investment Fund – Adding Value, for farm businesses that support diversification and add value to their products.

New Warlands Farm will produce, brand and sell its own cider and apple juice, with the labels designed by internationally renowned artist and charity patron, Mackenzie Thorpe.

The charity has also launched a capital appeal called Growing Futures to help fund the scheme – and has already received more than £1 million from independent foundations and trusts.

Business leader and philanthropist Sir Peter Vardy pledged £500,000, while the charity has also received grants from the Garfield Weston Foundation, The Wolfson Foundation, the Edward Gostling Foundation, and Laing Family Trusts.

The development is the most ambitious yet for NEAS, which celebrates its 45th anniversary this year.

John Phillipson, the charity’s chief executive, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the foundations, trusts and agencies that have so generously supported this innovative project.

“It is vital work but we can’t do it alone. These grants are the foundation stone of the whole development.”