Stand Out! Work Experience & Volunteering Opportunities for Young People at Clitterhouse Farm
The Pitch
Problem statement
Over the last few years it has become increasingly difficult for your young people to access hand-on work experience and meaningful volunteering opportunities to boost their CV and employablility. Many face barriers such as social disadvantage, isolation, and limited local support. Nationally, only 36% of students participate in meaningful placements, while 61% of employers report lack of experience as a key recruitment challenge. For young people with SEND, the risk of being NEET is two to three times higher, underscoring the urgent need for inclusive, accessible opportunities.
Solution
At Clitterhouse Farm, we offer structured volunteering and work experience for young people 14+, helping them develop practical skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging. In 2026, we will deliver 30 weeks of café and garden sessions, including support for SEN students from Mapledown School. Participants will learn horticulture, catering, and customer service skills, boosting employability and confidence. They will gain hands-on experience, develop life skills, engage with their community, explore career pathways, and contribute to a thriving green space. The funding would also allow us to replace damaged raised beds at the community garden and create an accessible training area.
Why are we best placed to deliver?
Clitterhouse Farm is ideally placed to deliver this project. Over 10 years, we have worked with volunteers of all ages and backgrounds and are a well-known, trusted community hub. We have strong relationships with local primary and secondary schools, including Mapledown School, and support Duke of Edinburgh students. We have hosted numerous school visits and delivered curriculum-supporting workshops, giving young people hands-on learning in horticulture, sustainability, and nature. This experience shows our ability to provide structured, meaningful work experience and volunteering in a safe, inclusive environment.
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| Garden Work Experience Facilitator, 30 weeks, 2h/week, @£20/h (1 facilitator) | £1,200 |
| Cafe Work Experience Facilitator, 30 weeks, 2h/week, @£20/h (1 facilitator) | £1,200 |
| 12 x 1h sessions tailored for students at Mapledown School, @£40/session/facilitator (2 facilitator, teaching staff to support), | £960 |
| 10 x 1h sessions for local secondary schools, @£40/session for up to 30 children per session (2 facilitators needed) | £1,600 |
| Replacement railway sleepers for raised beds at Clitterhouse Garden | £2,500 |
| Equipment, Material and peat free compost needed for delivery of this project | £940 |
| Outreach | £400 |
| Overheads | £1,200 |
Beneficiaries
400 people
Who will benefit
Expected impact
The project will provide structured volunteering and work experience for young people, including those with SEN, helping them develop practical skills, confidence, and employability. Participants will gain hands-on experience in horticulture, sustainability, and café operations, develop life skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, and explore future career pathways. By engaging with the community, they will build a sense of belonging and civic responsibility. The project will also improve the garden’s accessibility and training facilities through the replacement of raised beds, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for the numerous existing volunteer groups who share the community garden, while the wider community gains a thriving, biodiverse green space. Ultimately, the project will equip young people with skills and confidence for education, training, and employment, foster social inclusion, and strengthen connections within the local area.
Track record
Clitterhouse Farm has a strong history of working with funders over the past 10 years, including The National Lottery Fund, North London Waste Authority, Young Barnet Foundation, and Barnet Council. We have successfully delivered a wide range of projects, often in partnership with local organisations such as the Golders Green Residents Association. We are committed to sustainability and inclusivity. Completed projects are often extended through our “Pay it Forward” scheme, where participants who can afford to contribute are invited to pay an additional ticket for those less privileged, ensuring workshops and children’s activities remain accessible and free. We are also able to continue the 2023 Community Food Composting Project, now run by our dedicated garden volunteers, without requiring future funding unless we wish to scale up. This track record demonstrates our ability to manage funded projects responsibly, deliver meaningful outcomes, and maintain strong community engagement.