Manx Mencap has given the Children’s Centre another £20,000 to help provide a service for young adults with learning difficulties.

The Children’s Centre’s inclusion project is based at the Community Farm, has been running for over five years.

It is based around the running of the farm.

Whether it’s nurturing new-born lambs, or sowing a potato crop, the activites provide an opportunity to develop skills, friendships, work ethic, behavioural and emotional management and resilience.

Crops sometimes fail, nails get bent, but the charity encourages participants to dust themselves off, learn, laugh and have another go.

The project revolves around four key areas: farm and horticultural work (animal husbandry, taking ownership of food production), social enterprise (entrepreneurial spirit is encouraged through farm-made products and events), community volunteering (giving back to others and being productive and visible around the island) and social experiences (the groups taking ownership of organised walks and events).

The Children’s Centre says it gives the individuals who participate on the project the skills needed to ’thrive and unlock and realise their potential’.

Manx Mencap helps people with a learning disability and their families/carer.

Llinos Cowsill, inclusion manager, said: ’We are so overwhelmed with the support shown by the Manx Mencap and their support towards the project.

’The project enables young adults to truly thrive in a dynamic environment allowing the attendees gain confidence and create diverse, necessary and useful roles. It truly demonstrates what they can give, and not what they can’t.

’We continue to require financial support from the Manx community as this service is proving to be not only important for the individuals and their families but also giving back to the community in meaningful ways.

’We hope with the continued support of Manx Mencap and the wider community we can make a sustainable and worthy project for future generations to come.’