A landmark community business will join forces with more than 5,000 businesses across the UK to promote the positive impact community businesses have on the local economy and quality of life of its residents.
As part of a major new national campaign the Fordhall Community Land Initiative at Fordhall Farm in Market Drayton will be throwing its doors open for a special day to welcome visitors behind the scenes.
The Community Business Weekend on July 2 and 3 will see a host of fun-filled events across the country promoting a sector worth £2bn and which employs almost 27,000 people.
Community businesses are owned and run by the community with the main aim of helping to bring people together to improve their local area.
This year Power to Change, the organisation launched to support and help grow community businesses, is driving forward a campaign with Fordhall Farm, hoping to raise awareness of what theses ventures can achieve and how more of them can be established.
“We are delighted to be taking part in this special weekend and hope to welcome as many people as possible to take a closer look at what we do here,” said Charlotte Hollins, Manager at Fordhall Farm.
“It is very important to us that people get the chance to find out more about us and also that we get a chance to say thank you to all those who have supported us in what we have achieved so far.”
This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the landmark community initiative which made headlines around the world in 2006.
Britain’s first community-owned farm was established after a David & Goliath-style battle by a brother-and-sister team to raise £800,000 to buy the tenancy.
Charlotte and Ben Hollins launched a campaign to save their late father’s legacy at Fordhall Farm in Shropshire. Now 10 years on they are so grateful to the 8000 shareholders and volunteers who supported their cause they are key supporters of the drive to grow community businesses across the UK.
The farm which has proved a massive success story with a new farm shop and cafe added to the facilities during the last decade will be open on Saturday 2nd July. It is the perfect opportunity for others to learn about their share scheme, volunteering, their youth project working with young people excluded from school, and their care farm working with adults with learning disabilities.
“The support and encouragement we had from so many people over the years still never ceases to amaze and humble me,” said Charlotte.
“Our Behind the Scenes day will be open from 10am-2pm and it is a great opportunity for others to learn about our successes, past and present, or to find out how to get involved with one of our community projects.”
“We certainly hope this weekend will show people what can be achieved and that each contribution no matter how small makes a massive difference and can improve life for all. If there is a further contribution that we can make as part of our legacy it is to encourage more communities to believe they can save and launch businesses together in their local area and take ownership of them to have a say in their own future.”
A spokesperson for Power to Change said almost 130,000 volunteers had taken part in work within a community businesses in a sector which was consistently growing and thriving.
“These businesses return control to the community and can have long-lasting benefits for health and well being,” he added.
“It is important now to let people see what is being done in terms of social cohesion and inspiring pride in an area and a sense of purpose. We also want people to see how much support there is for community based businesses and how they can get involved if they want to be a part of that support network whether that is as a shareholder, a volunteer or just a casual supporter.”