Woodgate Valley Urban Farm Ltd
Charity 701639
Overview
Summary
Woodgate Valley Urban Farm appears to operate as more than a visitor attraction: it is a place-based community asset that uses animals, land and practical activity to combine informal education, social inclusion and wellbeing support. Its role seems to rest on making rural and nature-based experiences accessible within an urban Birmingham neighbourhood, while maintaining a broad public-facing presence. The recent Greencare initiative suggests an effort to make its therapeutic and inclusion role more structured.
Operational geography
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Bartley Green
Confidence: high
Direct evidence identifies the farm's current visitor location as Bartley Green, within Woodgate Valley Country Park. The organisation describes this as the place where it delivers public visits, school visits, workshops, therapeutic activity, horticultural activity and community events. The Birmingham City Council park page independently identifies the urban farm as a feature of the same country park.
- Woodgate Valley Urban Farm, Contact Us
The organisation states that the farm is at the western edge of Woodgate Valley Country Park, in Bartley Green, Birmingham. - Woodgate Valley Urban Farm, Home page
The organisation describes school visits, workshops, community events, therapeutic animal interaction, gardening and outdoor activity programmes, alongside the farm, orchard and woodland areas, as activities delivered at the farm. - Woodgate Valley Urban Farm, About Us
The organisation states that it manages farmland, orchards and woodlands within Woodgate Valley Country Park under licence from Birmingham City Council. - Birmingham City Council, Woodgate Valley Country Park: Things to see and do
The council identifies Woodgate Valley Urban Farm, including its animals, demonstration garden and traditional orchard, as part of Woodgate Valley Country Park.
Remaining uncertainties
- The Charity Commission contact record describes the organisation as Quinton, while the organisation's current visitor information identifies the physical farm as Bartley Green. The evidence supports Bartley Green as the operational ward, but the differing locality labels create some ambiguity.
- The organisation says that its reach extends into Birmingham and neighbouring local-authority areas, and the Charity Commission lists Birmingham City, Dudley, Sandwell, Warwickshire and Worcestershire as places where it operates. However, neither source identifies current off-site delivery locations, additional sites, or the extent to which this reflects visitor/referral catchment rather than services delivered outside the farm.
- The website refers generally to partnerships with local authorities, schools and organisations, but does not name current partners or show that any partnership creates an operational presence in another Birmingham ward.
- The available evidence supports a single, place-based community farm whose operational identity is neighbourhood-based. It does not establish a separate district-wide or citywide delivery network.
Additional evidence needed
- A current annual report, impact report or service timetable that identifies where school, therapeutic, outreach or commissioned sessions are delivered, including whether any take place away from the farm.
- A current list of partner schools, referral agencies, local-authority contracts or delivery partners, with service locations where disclosure is appropriate.
- Confirmation from the organisation of whether its reported activity outside Birmingham consists of off-site provision, or of people travelling to the Woodgate Valley site.
Areas of work
- Animals
- Education/training
- Environment/conservation/heritage
- General Charitable Purposes
Who they help
- Children/young People
- Other Defined Groups
- People With Disabilities
- The General Public/mankind
How they help
- Other Charitable Activities
- Provides Advocacy/advice/information
- Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space
- Provides Services
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
The farm’s core asset is a setting, not a single service
The available evidence suggests the organisation’s operating model is built around stewardship of accessible farm, orchard and woodland spaces, which can support education, recreation, volunteering, conservation and wellbeing activity at the same time.
Why it matters
This helps explain how apparently varied activities may reinforce one another: the physical environment is the shared infrastructure connecting its charitable purposes and community offer.
Show evidence
“The farm includes a working farm, orchard and woodland area.”
Source:Organisation“The charity provides buildings, facilities and open space.”
Source:Charity Commission
It appears to bridge universal access and targeted support
The farm appears to combine low-cost public access and family activities with more intentional support for young people, disadvantaged groups, people with disabilities and people facing mental-health challenges.
Why it matters
This mixed model may make the farm socially inclusive while avoiding a narrow identity as either a specialist service or a general leisure venue. It also raises useful questions about how these different groups share space and resources.
Show evidence
“Entry is £2 per person, including all ages.”
Source:Organisation“Woodgate Greencare provides structured nature-based programmes for people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health challenges.”
Source:Organisation“The charity helps children and young people, people with disabilities, other defined groups and the general public.”
Source:Charity Commission
Greencare may represent a strategic formalisation of an existing role
The 2023 Greencare initiative may indicate a shift from broadly describing therapeutic benefits of nature and animals toward a more structured wellbeing offer.
Why it matters
If so, the organisation may be becoming a more deliberate partner in local health, disability and social-care ecosystems, rather than relying only on informal community benefit.
Show evidence
“Woodgate Greencare was launched in 2023.”
Source:Organisation“The initiative provides structured programmes in nature-based therapy.”
Source:Organisation“The charity’s activities include general support, life-skills training and basic confidence-building for young people, disadvantaged and underprivileged people.”
Source:Charity Commission
- There is no evidence on the number, geography or circumstances of people reached through public, educational or Greencare activity.
- It is unclear whether Greencare is delivered independently or through partnerships with schools, health services, care providers or community organisations.
- The evidence does not show how the farm balances visitor income, donations, volunteering and other funding.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent annual reports or impact data showing participation, beneficiary groups, outcomes and funding sources.
- Information on referral routes, delivery partners and formal relationships connected to Woodgate Greencare.
- Evidence of local demand, volunteer involvement and how the organisation’s use of land relates to neighbouring community assets.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
Woodgate Valley Urban Farm is a focus for the empowerment & practical involvement of people from the local community in rural activities.. There is an emphasis upon young people, the disadvantaged, and the underprivileged to whom we give general support, life skills training & basic confidence in a non judgemental environment. We are members of Social Farms & Gardens.
Charity objects
THE OBJECTS FOR WHICH THE COMPANY IS ESTABLISHED ARE (A) TO PROMOTE THE BENEFIT OF THE INHABITANTS OF, AND PERSONS EMPLOYED IN WOODGATE VALLEY, BIRMINGHAM (HEREINAFTER CALLED THE BENEFICIARIES) AND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD THEREOF (HEREINAFTER CALLED "THE AREA OF BENEFIT") WITHOUT DISTINCTION OF SEX, OR OF POLITICAL, RELIGIOUS AND/OR VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS AND INHABITANTS IN A COMON EFFORT TO ADVANCE EDUCATION AND TO PROVIDE FACILITIES IN THE INTERESTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE FOR RECREATION AND OTHER LEISURE-TIME OCCUPATION WITH THE OBJECT OF IMPROVING THE CONDITIONS OF LIFE FOR THE SAID INHABITANTS (FOR FURTHER DETAILS SEE CLAUSE 3 OF MEMORANDUN & ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED 16 MAY 1989.)