Gorgie City Farm. Helen Syme

Our speaker, Helen Syme is a corporate fundraiser at Gorgie City Farm. Entry to the farm is free but it costs £1400 a day to run. It is seen as educational. Some 200,000 visitors went there last year.
There is formal and informal learning. A number of schools come. It is a working farm.  It is not an animal charity. There are some 150 plus volunteers every week with an age range of 14 up. 95% of these volunteers feel happier after helping.
Being close to animals improves people’s stress level. “Give people a rabbit to cuddle” is seen as one way of reducing stress.
Its premises can be hired for workshops and corporate events. There are food sales and a cafe. Funding comes from many areas including donations from individuals and companies.
Help by individuals include visiting making a donation, become a Friend of the Farm and using the premises for events.
Questions included the following:-
It is open from 9 to 4.30 daily, staff takes up 60% of the costs, it is triangular in shape, about
 2 – 3 acres. Animals can be bought, donated or bred.
The clubs Vote of thanks was given by Hendrik.