Celebrating Our First Six Months: The Countryside Kitchen Social Impact Report 2025

Since opening our doors in July, The Countryside Kitchen has grown into something far bigger than a building. It has become a place of learning, connection, wellbeing and community — and today we are proud to share our first Social Impact Report.

In just six months, 350 children, vulnerable adults, families and community members have taken part in our hands-on Grow, Cook, Eat workshops. From school visits and uniformed youth groups to home-educating families, NHS social prescribing referrals and vulnerable adults supported through community partners, the response has been overwhelming.

Visitors have travelled from Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Leicestershire to experience practical food education on a working farm — many for the first time in their lives. For some, this was their first experience of open green space. For others, it was the first time in decades someone had cooked a meal just for them.

Alongside our educational work, our honesty shop, open seven days a week, has become a valued local service, providing affordable produce and now hosting a medical recycling point and bleed control station, responding directly to rural community need.

Our Social Impact Report captures:

• Who we’ve reached and how
• The outcomes people have shared with us
• The unexpected moments that show real transformation
• The partners, funders and volunteers who made this possible
• Our ambitions to grow our reach to 1,000+ people in 2026, particularly those facing disadvantage or rural isolation

One visitor told us:
“I’ve never left the town before — it’s wonderful to be in open, green space.”

Another shared:
“Thank you for cooking me a meal. It’s the first time in 50 years someone has done that for me.”

These moments remind us why this work matters.

We are deeply grateful to our funders, partners, collaborators and volunteers who believed in this vision and helped turn it into reality. This report is not just a reflection — it’s an invitation to be part of what comes next.

👉 Read our Social Impact Report 2025 by hitting the button below

Thank you for supporting The Countryside Kitchen. Together, we are growing something special.

— Milly Fyfe, Founding Director