ROCK FARM - TEENAGERS

CODE:CONCUKTEEN268

Host Partner: Rock Farm
Work type: Agriculture, Environment, Manual , Social
Dates & Duration: 29/06/26 - 05/07/26 | 1 week
Volunteer numbers : 20
Age: 16-17 (during project)
Location: Washington, West Sussex, Brighton, UK

Host Partner: Rock Farm is a therapeutic growing project open to everyone, restoring both the landscape and people through an innovative market garden model. They grow fruit and vegetables using regenerative, permaculture, and no dig principles, with absolutely zero pesticides or herbicides. The farm is at the cutting edge of embedding productive crops in a forest garden ecosystem, which sinks a large amount of carbon into the soil instead of emitting it and provides the backbone of their sustainability and therapeutic work. Retreats, camping, workshops and horticulture courses are also available at Rock Farm, especially for marginalised people. Rock Farm is part of One Church Brighton, an organisation with several social projects in and around the Brighton area. The farm grows produce on 6 acres of community land in West Sussex, offering access to horticultural therapy and community gardening for a range of volunteers and vulnerable groups.
Volunteer Work: Volunteers will carry out environmental and sustainable conservation volunteering while learning hands on practice in carbon-negative food production and sustainability. Volunteers’ day to day task would include a range of skill based learning activities for example: planting trees, growing vegetables, picking and preparing crops. Volunteers will also be harvesting fruits and vegetables which are needed for the market, alongside the potential of some construction work to further enhance the volunteer’s skillset. Volunteers will be receiving an educational experience alongside the volunteering.
Main volunteering tasks will include:
* Berry Picking
* Cleaning and weeding
* Tending to plants
* Looking after wildlife
* Tree care Education sessions with the host
Accommodation and Food: Volunteers willstay in large style canvas tents throughout the project, 'this is off-grid, sustainable living, so please plan ahead and bring warm clothes and sleeping items. Rock farm will provide dry goods and fresh produce for 2 meals per day, plus one hot meal cooked together with the rock farm staff. All Volunteers are expected to get involved in the cooking process and washing up.

Location and Leisure: Rock Farm is based near Steyning, about 20 miles from Brighton. Volunteers will have the chance to visit the local area and go for hikes in the countryside. Visits to close-by sites will ensure that the group get to explore the area and learn about British culture. There are two farm shops within short walking distance if volunteers want to get any food/snacks – with a further two villages within an hour’s walk. The accommodation is on the South Downs walking trail, with many beautiful hikes available to the volunteers.

The Concordia Leader will help volunteers make plans for their free time – but volunteers will be expected to contribute ideas and suggestions for activities.

Volunteers will have cultural visits and leisure activities will be organised together with the group.
Activities will include:
Walk to local historic town Steyning
Pizza Oven night
Games Night
Camp Fire
Visit to Brighton
Farwell Party

Documents and Application: To apply a Volunteer Engagement Form (VEF) is required and letter of motivation with parental consent. ETA/VISA, volunteer agreement, passport, arrival and departure details, medical and dietary requirements, media consent or not.

Additional Information: This is a teenage project for young people aged 16-17 during the project. A minimum of 10 participants is required for this project to go ahead. Only 4 young people per nationality please.

Leaders: To ensure the smooth running of the project and the safety of young people, Concordia provides one paid and trained leader for every 10 young people.

IMPORTANT: British Summertime can be COLD AT NIGHT – please ensure you bring enough warm clothes. Wet weather clothing and footwear is also strongly recommended, as the site can get muddy and it may rain. Volunteers need to have a good level of physical fitness and be confident walking on uneven ground outside.

Facilities are basic and this is part of the experience. The farm operates mostly off-grid, so all toilets are composting loos and there is a limited amount of solar-power for charging of phones. It is strongly recommended to bring a battery-pack for your phone, and to embrace having a break from your tech!

Volunteers will have access to 2 showers – they are outdoor showers, so you will need to bring flipflops/sliders and a swimming costume. Carbon negative showers only provide a certain amount of hot water per day. One of the tasks for the volunteers is to create the hot water system! Rock farm has a small furnished cabin in the camping area for use as a meeting and relaxing area. There are a 4 further buildings/cover for eating and cooking – including a pizza oven!

NEAREST AIRPORT: Gatwick airport. Nearest train station: Brighton train station.