SaVI Project 

Uncle Paul’s Chilli Farm has been fortunate to receive lottery funding for our very exciting Social and Vocational Inclusion (SAVI) project. This is a fixed-term, three-year position.

Uncle Paul’s Chilli Farm sits within forty acres of fields and woodland, commanding splendid views across the valley to the Mendip Hills and over Blagdon Reservoir.

The SAVI project provides a unique environment where individuals who may have learning disabilities and/or social disadvantage can enjoy an alternative setting in which to develop new independence skills, build their knowledge, and increase their experience to aid with successful progression on to the next steps in their life, which may include living independently, managing their health better or moving into higher
level learning and/or sustainable employment.

Those accessing the SAVI project may have faced a wide range of barriers and/or have learning disabilities. Such barriers might include low self-esteem, anxiety, trauma, underdeveloped social skills, difficulty in accessing full days of education, or being unable to access education due to illness, fatigue, and mental health needs.
Some may not have been in education or employment for many years, while others may have been educated in small group provisions or successfully gained employment but struggled to sustain it. In the main, they will all need support in increasing their confidence and independence.

The Farm specialises in growing chillies of all shapes, sizes, and origins, as well as other market produce. Alongside this, we produce our award-winning range of jams, chutneys, and chilli sauces from our farm-grown ingredients. In the charity’s commercial kitchen, there are opportunities to be immersed in our food production business, which includes all aspects of creating, preparing, making, packaging, delivering, and selling products to customers. This allows all participants to gain a broad range of skills.

At the farm, there are opportunities through horticulture, outdoor learning, and small-scale animal care to offer a breadth of vocational experiences tailored to the interests and talents of all participants. These include animal husbandry, livestock welfare, growing produce, food production, business administration, and customer service.

The aim of the SAVI project is to support individuals in developing self-belief and confidence by recognising and valuing their strengths. Many of those using our services take part in education activities at the farm which are designed to allow participants to learn in a calm, friendly environment, away from traditional learning settings, and develop strategies to overcome their barriers while acquiring vital life and work skills. This setting also enables our education partner facilitators to re-engage young people and adults who may have previously been disaffected from the
learning process.

The benefits of this approach can also help participants to:
● Spend quiet, contemplative time at the farm, away from the trials and
tribulations of modern life.
● Be more active and improve physical health.
● Meet and get to know new people.

● Connect with their local community.
● Improve their mood.
● Reduce feelings of stress or anger.
● Take time out and feel more relaxed.​​​​​​​​​

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If you would like more details of how to get involved with this project please email info@chillicharity.org.uk