Volunteers’ Week Spotlight
At Jamie’s Farm, community isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a way of life. And there’s no better example of this than Louisa, one of our incredible volunteers who splits her time between the Delivery and Operations teams. Whether she’s whipping up a hearty lunch in the farmhouse kitchen or supporting behind the scenes in the office, Louisa brings warmth, dedication, and a genuine love for our mission to everything she does.
We caught up with her to hear more about her inspiring work.
“A natural choice for me”
“What drew me to Jamie’s Farm was that two things I feel strongly about come together here,” Louisa explains. “The power of helping the next generation of young people in the face of incredible challenges, and the power of the land to unite, heal and connect people.”
Volunteering here feels like a natural choice – and an opportunity to give back while learning from a community with a strong shared purpose. “It certainly feels like a privilege,” she says, “to be able to work in such a lovely environment, and with such nice people, whilst also doing something fulfilling and worthwhile.”
From mac ‘n’ cheese to masterplans
Louisa’s week might start in the kitchen, preparing lunch with young people for everyone on the farm. “The morning includes a group check-in, where pupils can say how they’re feeling and give shout-outs to each other. Then we start lunch prep – it’s often macaroni cheese on my day!” she says.
Later in the week, she joins the Ops team in the office, still based on the farm. “It’s a completely different side of the organisation. I can use my admin and organisational skills while also feeling I’m helping out – just in a totally different way.”
This variety, she explains, brings out “different skills and different parts of my personality” – and gives her insight into the whole system, from front-line to background support. “Each side is equally important and interdependent.”
Moments that matter
Among Louisa’s favourite experiences are sunny afternoons working in the garden with young people. “Getting outside into the fresh air after cooking, getting our hands dirty, and seeing the young people get in touch with the core of the farm work – that was really special,” she says.
And when a local care home group visited recently, it was another moment of magic. “Everyone pulled together to support the visit. The kids proudly showed the elderly visitors around the animals – even though they’d only met them themselves the day before! It was something everyone involved could be proud of.”
Togetherness
The Jamie’s Farm atmosphere stands out for Louisa. “It feels like a community – or more like a series of families operating within a wider one,” she reflects. “There’s a real sense of respect and care, and practical things like eating lunch together help create a strong feeling of togetherness and unity.”
She adds: “There’s a general feeling of pride and purpose in the teams here, and that’s infectious.”
Advice to future volunteers
Would she recommend volunteering at Jamie’s Farm? “Absolutely,” Louisa says. “Coming out of an office setting to work in a natural environment like this is such a joy. Even for people familiar with the countryside, the chance to slow down, breathe the fresh air, and spend time surrounded by animals and beautiful views is a real gift.”
And as for impact? Louisa remains humble. “In a small way, yes, I hope my work has made a difference. It’s inspiring to see what a small group of dedicated people can achieve with the right vision, ethos and passion, and that’s something I’ve really learned from my time here.”
To anyone thinking about volunteering, Louisa has one piece of advice: do it.
“Whether you’re coming from an office background or just looking for something different, volunteering at Jamie’s Farm is incredibly grounding. The setting is stunning, the people are kind, and you genuinely feel like you’re making a difference.”
She adds: “Even if you’re not working directly with the young people, everything you do here supports them in some way. And that’s a wonderful thing to be part of.”
Why volunteers matter
At Jamie’s Farm, volunteers like Louisa are the glue between our daily magic and long-term mission. They bring fresh energy, vital skills, and – most importantly – a huge amount of heart.
So this Volunteers’ Week, we say a big thank you to Louisa and every one of our amazing volunteers. You are truly part of the Jamie’s Farm community and we couldn’t do it without you.
