Shadow Home Secretary visits popular community farm

The MP toured the farm to see first-hand how it's training and rehabilitation courses benefit ex-offenders, prisoners and individuals with multiple and complex needs.
Andy Burnham MP visits Rhubarb Farm in Langwith.Andy Burnham MP visits Rhubarb Farm in Langwith.
Andy Burnham MP visits Rhubarb Farm in Langwith.

Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, Andy Burnham MP, said: “I was delighted to accept the invitation to visit Rhubarb Farm and see the brilliant work they do there in supporting local people who are trying to turn their lives around. Rhubarb Farm is a real credit to the staff and volunteers who work so tirelessly to help ex-offenders, drug and alcohol misusers, people with mental ill health or learning disabilities and teenagers struggling with behaviour problems, to increase their self-esteem, improve their lives and make a positive contribution to their community. It was a real privilege for me to hear their stories first-hand and to see the amazing work that they do there - it was a humbling and inspiring experience.”

Mr Burnham was invited to visit the Farm by Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire Hardyal Dhindsa. The Police and Crime Commissioner’s office has been very supportive of Rhubarb Farm, providing it with grants to support its work with ex-offenders and prisoners; it believes it is one of the few projects in the county that is having a positive impact on reducing re-offending.

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Jennie Street is managing director of Rhubarb Farm and was delighted to have the opportunity to introduce the Shadow Home Secretary to the Farm’s volunteers and people on its courses.

“We are very proud of the unique work that we do here with ex-offenders and prisoners and are take delight in explaining the positive impact of our agricultural training projects. The Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner’s office has been a strong advocate for the results we achieve with people from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and we feel quite honoured to have hosted this visit,” said Jennie Street.

Rhubarb Farm is a community-run enterprise that works with a wide range of young people and adults facing serious personal challenges. It offers training and volunteering opportunities to ex-offenders, drug and alcohol misusers, people with mental ill health, learning disabilities and teenagers struggling with behaviour problems, to increase their self-esteem, improve their lives and make a positive contribution to their community.

Media representatives are welcome to attend the celebration event.

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Pictured: (back row, L-R) Kath Sharpe, Langwith Society member and Rhubarb Farm Director; Hardyal Dhindsa, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire; Andy Burnham MP; Jennie Street, MD of Rhubarb Farm; Ebbie Olukoya, Rhubarb Farm Bookkeeper; Cllr Sandra Peak; Alan Charles, Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner

Front Row: Luke Kelley, Rhubarb Farm site supervisor and ex offender mentor; Connor Dale, volunteer.