Uncle Paul’s Chilli Charity provides essential support to young people and adults who have learning difficulties and disabilities and/or have experienced social disadvantages in North Somerset, Bristol and surrounding counties. The charity’s mission is to positively transform lives and help those in need live as independently as possible. We are based at Butcombe Farm with 40 acres of fields and woodland at our disposal. This beautiful, natural setting allows us to offer an alternative environment to learn new skills, build resilience, foster self-belief and confidence. We enable people and help them develop strategies to overcome their barriers and learn vital skills for life and work.
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Uncle Paul’s Chilli Charity supports disadvantaged young people and adults through the provision of a natural, sustainable, alternative environment which fosters personal growth, confidence, self-belief, communication skills and hands-on practical skills. Utilizing our 40 acre farm overlooking the incredible AONB Mendip Hills, we connect help people with nature and themselves. Due to the surroundings on offer, we provide the following targeted services:
Education
Every beneficiary of our charity can learn or improve skills when visiting the farm. We offer the opportunity to understand nature using highly experienced and knowledgeable staff and volunteers. Forestry skills, fruit and vegetable growing, ground keeping, sustainable farming practices, bee keeping and animal care are just some of the areas in which beneficiaries can be involved. We have been fortunate to work with schools and colleges over the past two years and help provide an alternative, natural classroom. In 2023, we hope to raise enough funds to build a roundhouse so that we can provide a safe, dry, outdoor, all-weather area for the beneficiaries.
Social Prescribing
Whether a person has been referred or has self-referred, social prescribing helps support our community and can improve a person’s health and wellbeing. A recent study by the National Institute Health & Care Research (1) found that social prescribing schemes increase patients’ confidence, motivation and the skills to manage their own wellbeing. It has also been known to help addresses non-medical needs such as loneliness and financial difficulties. We understand that being in an open, wholesome environment can be of great benefit to many. There is always something to do at the farm and we offer opportunities for people to come along and find something that may assist them, all whilst helping us keep the charity running.
Wellbeing
Mental health and wellbeing has become a strong focus for many over the past few years. The stigmas surrounding our mental health are lifting and more people are seeking out ways to improve their wellbeing. Since COVID-19, the ONS has reported low ratings (2) of personal wellbeing across the UK. Uncle Paul’s Chilli Charity offers opportunities to enjoy a wholesome, natural landscape along with activities designed to help relax or refocus the mind. Whether it’s spending time in one of our hot tubs or pool, learning about spices and cooking, looking after horses, plant growing & gardening, bee keeping or simply wondering the 40 acre area and taking in some breath-taking views whilst connecting with nature, we offer a number of wellbeing activities to those in need.
Additional opportunities
Uncle Paul’s Chilli Charity gets its name from our passion for natural growing. Whilst individuals who attend the farm have been involved with growing some delicious produce, our primary plant is chilli. We grow thousands of plants in order to produce chillies which can be used in our range of sauces and jams which we sell online, wholesale or at market. The profits from these products go directly back to the charity. There are times when we need help in the chilli kitchen and we can offer opportunities to come along and assist with our production. However, at the moment our all-important cooker is broken. This crowdfunding campaign is to help us get back up & running!
Overcoming economic barriers
The current rising costs of fuel, food and other essentials will likely put disadvantaged people with learning disabilities at a much higher risk of both immediate hardship and reduced opportunities for learning & wellbeing. Uncle Paul’s Chilli Charity is keen to ensure that this group is not overlooked in this climate. Part of our focus in 2023 will be on identifying groups and individuals who may fall between the gaps of government support funding and providing them with opportunities that may otherwise not exist for them.
Why support Uncle Paul’s Chilli Charity?
Community and equality is at the heart of Uncle Paul’s Chilli Charity. We offer an innovative educational concept that is delivering real impact, opportunities and optimism for the future. Furthermore, we firmly believe that our focus on improving mental health & wellbeing along with social prescribing is vital in today’s undulating and unstable climate. We will continue to strive to improve the lives of those with disadvantages and welcome them to a safe, relaxing and wholesome environment. However, we couldn’t do what we’re doing without your vital financial support. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Sources:
(1) https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/social-prescribing-could-empower-patients-to-address-non-medical-problems-in-their-lives/
(2) https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/wellbeing/bulletins/measuringnationalwellbeing/april2021tomarch2022