National Lottery boosts Cilrath Acre's community programme with two-year funding

CILRATH Acre, a community growing project near Narberth, is embarking on an exciting new chapter after securing two years of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund.

Since establishing in 2022, Cilrath Acre - which is part of the same charity as Pembrokeshire Foodbank, has become a valued community resource. The project has welcomed over 100 volunteers through the garden gate, hosts workshops and open days and produces significant quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables. In 2025 alone, over 932kg of produce - the equivalent of over 11,650 portions of food, was delivered to Pembrokeshire Foodbank providing fresh, nutritious food for people experiencing food poverty.

The new programme, which began in May, will build on these foundations by creating new opportunities for young people and youth organisations to take part in food growing and environmental activities. It will also introduce dedicated Welsh language growing sessions, helping more people develop and use their Welsh through practical, hands-on experiences.

Already, the project has hosted three local primary schools and supported experiences for students from Coleg Plas Dwbl, Clynderwen. Staff and volunteers are also looking forward to attending the upcoming Eisteddfod taking place in Pembrokeshire next month.

Alongside these new initiatives, the project will continue its regular volunteer sessions which take place every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday morning, supporting people to develop practical growing skills, improve their wellbeing, build confidence and connect with nature.

One volunteer explains the difference their involvement has made to them: “I really enjoy volunteering at Cilrath Acre - I can really feel the benefit to my wellbeing as it's such a rounded experience, affecting my physical and mental wellbeing. I have also learned what is possible when a small group of people come together and work towards a common goal.”

Anyone interested in getting involved can email the team: [email protected]