OUR IMPACT

Our impact

At The Countryside Kitchen, impact isn’t a buzzword — it’s why we exist.


Every workshop, every school visit and every shared meal is designed to create meaningful change. We are reconnecting people with where food comes from, building confidence in the kitchen, supporting mental wellbeing, and nurturing a deeper respect for the land.


Through our Grow, Cook, Eat, Discover approach, children and adults don’t just learn about food systems — they experience them. They plant seeds, harvest produce, prepare meals, and sit together at the table.


In doing so, they build skills for life.


What We’re Seeing


  • Children trying vegetables they’ve grown themselves for the very first time
  • Increased confidence in young people and vulnerable adults who struggle in traditional classroom settings
  • Stronger understanding of sustainability, seasonality and soil health
  • Improved wellbeing through hands-on outdoor learning
  • Families feeling empowered to cook simple, nutritious meals at home


Teachers tell us pupils return to school more engaged.


Parents tell us their children are suddenly curious about farming and food. Community groups tell us they feel more connected — to the land and to each other.



Voices from Our Community

Our impact is best told through the words of those who experience it....


‘We have been absolutely thrilled to be part of the very first sessions at The Countryside Kitchen. All four of our school classes (100 children) have attended workshops at the on-farm classroom, and each session was thoughtfully tailored to meet the individual needs of the class, clearly linking to year group learning objectives and the National Curriculum.


Having such an amazing facility right on our doorstep is a real asset to our school and wider community. The children benefited enormously from stepping outside the traditional classroom environment and engaging in hands-on, meaningful learning that deepened their understanding of food, farming and sustainability.


We are incredibly grateful that these sessions were provided at no cost to the school, ensuring that every child could be included and given the opportunity to take part in a visit beyond the day-to-day classroom experience. Opportunities like this are vital in helping children develop a strong understanding of the world around them and the role of their local community within it. Thank you to The Countryside Kitchen for providing such an inspiring and inclusive learning experience.”


Mrs Servant – Yelvertoft Primary School Head Mistress

“Bringing our group to The Countryside Kitchen was genuinely transformative. Many of the people we support have a strong connection to how food and the outdoors impact their mental and physical health, but being able to experience that in such a hands-on, nurturing environment made it real.


There’s something incredibly powerful about harvesting produce, preparing it together, and sharing a meal around the table. You could see shoulders drop, conversations open up, and confidence grow as the session unfolded. For some, it was the first time in a long time that they felt calm, capable and connected.


The day wasn’t just about cooking — it was about belonging, learning new skills, and recognising how being outdoors and working with food can positively support wellbeing. We left feeling grounded, empowered and inspired to carry those habits back into our everyday lives.”


The Bridge, Northampton

We absolutely loved our collaboration with SendSational Families CIC and No Fuss Meals for Busy Parents CIC at The Countryside Kitchen.


It was so wonderful to create the opportunity for our families to access the wonderful world of livestock and arable farming.


What a gift for our community - huge thanks. Shelley Knight, Sendsational Families CIC

A huge thank you for making our visits to Orchard Farm so enjoyable.  From the first moment we met, your passion for inspiring future generations was clear. The visits to the farm have provided hand on experiences and enhanced our curriculum learning in areas like Geography & Science.  The sessions were jam packed with experiences for the children and they left the farm with a real sense of purpose and achievement. We are so grateful for the time we spent with you. You have made memories, brought learning to life and inspired some future farmers. A heartfelt thank you for all you do. 


Lyanne Young 

Vice Principal

Inclusion Lead and SENDCO, Writing Lead & Art Lead

Falconer's Hill Academy 

During the Easter holidays Hill Street Youth and Community Centre brought 20 young people aged 6 – 11 years for an educational and inspiring local farm trip. The trip consisted of a tour of the farm and observing all the animals on site, learning about the variety of animals and the food production process, health and safety regarding machinery and the reasoning behind bringing spare shoes.


 We were fortunate to enjoy fun activities such as an easter egg hunt and engage in “worm charming” whilst singing and using musical instruments alongside our feet to attract worms to the ground surface. The trip was fantastic. Milly and her assistant Kelly were professional, patient and friendly throughout the whole experience and the children were even fortunate to make their own butter in test tubes and try the farms delicious cheesy bread. 


When gathering feedback from the children the most popular themes they reflected on were that there was a great variety of farmyard animals, they enjoyed feeding the goats, activities were fun and inclusive, and they got to learn about the animals and what happens at different stages.

 

Our youth group thoroughly enjoyed this trip in particular as some children had never stepped foot onto a farm, let alone seen or been able to touch the animals up close and personal. I am thrilled to be able to share this experience with parents, guardians and older youth members to highlight the quality of work that takes place on Orchard Farm. 


We look forward to visiting again with an adult group as part of our community networking. 


Fantastic work being delivered.  


BJ Simone Carr

Charity Engagement Manager

Every wellbeing session, shop purchase, partnership, and volunteer hour helps us plant the seeds for a healthier, more connected future.

Thank you for helping us grow something truly special.