Southampton community farm wins Selco support

​Volunteers at a community farm in Southampton will have a warm place to shelter this winter after the project won materials from us.

Aldermoor Community Farm has been announced as a monthly winner in our Community Heroes campaign, receiving £1,000 to spend in store.

Four individuals bought an acre of agricultural land in the city in 2014 and transformed it into a community farm and farm shop promoting wellbeing and sustainability for local residents.

The prize will be used to erect and insulate an on-site cabin so volunteers have a place to shelter when the weather turns.

Deborah White, of Aldermoor Community Farm, said: “We are thrilled to win this support from Selco. We have a vision to nurture people while we nurture the land – and these materials will help us achieve that goal.

“We have been planning to build a cabin for a while to encourage all year-round activity, so this is a huge boost.

“Our aim has always been to build a community through activity on the farm and to support individuals with their positive mental health and wellbeing.

“Users tell us that getting out of the house and being around caring people, animals and nature really helps.”

The farm grows a wide range of produce, including salad leaves, tomatoes, chili peppers, potatoes and herbs. Chickens and ducks are also kept on site, producing high quality eggs.

Deborah and the team plan to visit our Southampton store on Millbrook Industrial Estate to pick up its materials.

This year’s Selco Community Heroes campaign is bigger and better than ever, with a total prize pot of £57,500.

That includes 40 monthly prizes of £1,000 credit to spend in store, as well as a top prize of £10,000 in cash for an overall winner, £5,000 for a runner-up and £2,500 for third place.

Entries are open until September and any group that supports its local community can enter online.

Simon Humpage, Head of Multi-Channel Marketing at Selco, said: “Countless studies show that being around other people, nature and animals can have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing, so we’re delighted to support Aldermoor Community Farm and its work in Southampton.

“We receive hundreds of Community Heroes applications every month but Aldermoor Community Farm really stood out with its clear plans for future development.

“We are proud to have already donated £25,000 worth of building materials through Community Heroes this year – but there is still time to enter and win big.

“Our team looks forward to pouring over hundreds more applications before the closing date.”