Impact
Rooted in a community farm. Built for many more.
Shirleys Field Community Farm is where we started, and it’s still where we test everything we build. Our technology is shaped by the farm’s growers, volunteers and participants, and its purpose is the same as the farm’s: helping people and communities thrive.
Our living lab
Shirleys Field Community Farm
Shirleys Field is a social enterprise and charity on six acres at Layer Breton, near Tiptree in Essex. It supports people who feel lonely or socially isolated, through therapeutic horticulture, organic food production, animal care and skill-building programmes.
The farm welcomes people with learning disabilities, mental and physical health challenges, young people not in education or work, people in recovery from substance misuse, ex-offenders, ex-service personnel and older adults experiencing isolation, helping them build confidence, resilience and new skills.
Life on the farm
- Therapeutic horticulture and nature connection
- Organic fruit and vegetable growing, with weekly veg bags
- Animal husbandry, therapy and care
- Men in Shirleys Shed and the singing club
- Community café and social events
- Primary school visits, talks and training
What we’re building together
From real problems on the farm to tools for every project.
Each Seedbed module began as a problem the farm needed to solve. We build it there first, test it with the people who’ll use it, and only then make it available to others.
Person-centred scheduling
Matching volunteers and participants to activities that suit their interests and support needs, so every session is well staffed and well matched.
Veg bag forecasting
Planning crops against weekly veg bag demand to reduce waste and keep local customers supplied through the seasons.
Evidence without the evenings
Capturing attendance and wellbeing check-ins simply, then turning them into reports for funders and partners.
Growing knowledge in your pocket
Photo-based plant and pest identification, so newer volunteers can spot problems and know what to do.
Our commitments
Technology with a social purpose.
People before technology
We design with the people community organisations support, not just the staff who buy software, and test everything for accessibility.
Sharing skills
Digital and AI skills sessions for volunteers, participants and local groups, continuing the farm’s tradition of sharing skills.
Growing the movement
Free guides and resources to help community growing projects use data and AI safely, whether or not they become customers.
Looking for the farm?
Interested in volunteering, veg bags, school visits, venue hire or a tour of Shirleys Field Community Farm? The farm’s community programmes continue as before. Use the same contact details and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Help us grow the impact.
Whether you run a community growing project or fund them, we’d love to hear from you.