A COMMUNITY-run care farm has won nearly £50,000 in lottery funding to help more isolated people in the area.

Wellies On, a community interest company based in Mersea Road, Abberton, has secured £49,360 as part of the National Lottery’s People’s Projects scheme.

The care farm works with people of all ages, including those who struggle to engage in every day life, to build resilience and reduce social isolation.

It was one of three projects to receive the funding after a public vote and the cash will be used to get a minibus on the road which will collect people from within the community.

This will make it easier for them to get to the farm where they will take part in easy farming activities like cooking and even yoga with goats.

Ellie Goff, managing director of Wellies On, said: “It is absolutely flabbergasting the support we have received not only in the area but from around the country.

“It is wonderful we are going to be able to do so many things we have dreamed of doing.

“We have had lots of support from businesses in the area and individuals who have all got behind us.

“We are going to have our kitchen up and running and we will have the minibus going out and collecting isolated people from the community and bringing them to the farm.

“There are many people who are not able to access our services because of a lack of funding or an inability to go outside.

“We hope this funding will help change that. The farm will be a hive of activity.”

Earlier this month, Wellies On was featured in the Parliamentary Review magazine as a shining example in its field.

And Ms Goff says the future of the community group is looking exciting.

“We have never had a grant of this size before,” she said.

“It has all come together at the same time for us and it has been amazing.”

Wellies On was one of 95 projects competing across the country for a share of £3 million in funding.