Compass Advocacy Network (CAN) is the BBC Children in Need funded project transforming a 11 acre area of farmland into a hub for collaboration, biodiversity and social action.

Thanks to funding from BBC Children in Need, CAN is able to continue the development of the farm through its HUB project which provides young people with learning disabilities and associated problems with the opportunity to be a voice for nature.

20 year old Chloe is at the beating heart of CAN and has been ever since she began attending back in 2018. Chloe has been a part of the implementation of multiple environmental initiatives on site, from a flourishing community garden to the construction of solar panels and a water management system. Chloe has a learning disability and photosensitive epilepsy, and looking back on her very first days with CAN she said:

“CAN means a lot to me and I have grown so much personally from it. Being a part of HUB and CAN GROW has allowed me to build my confidence, social skills and to form positive relationships with other people my own age. What I enjoy most is meeting people, being outside in the fresh air and working on the natural trail that goes around the farm.”

At CAN, the children and young people get to choose the change they want to action. Currently the team are working on the construction of a community play area, made from recycled timber as well as

the rejuvenation of a duck pond, rescued from rewilding. Tori, Base Coordinator/HUB Project Coordinator at CAN commented:

“Each month we ask our children and young people how they want to make an impact and that is exactly what we deliver. Chloe and all our young people are all so passionate about the environment and paving the way for a positive future. It has been a pleasure to watch our young people take initiative, including donating the food grown in our garden to aid food insecurity in the local area and even campaign and lobby local authorities to make a change.”

BBC Children in Need’s Project Grant helps Compass Advocacy Network continue its work to transform the 11 acre farmland.