AN AWARD-WINNING farm shop in Somerset has this month (February 2022) chosen to support two charities in the county throughout the year.
Rumwell Farm Shop has selected Reminiscence Learning from Wellington and Love Musgrove in Taunton as its charities of the year and will fundraise for them in a number of ways.
Anne Mitchell, Joint Owner of the farm shop, which is located on the A38 between Taunton and Wellington, said: “We’re delighted to announce Reminiscence Learning and Love Musgrove as our chosen charities of the year for 2022.
“Reminiscence Learning is dedicated to responding to individual and community needs, specialising in dementia care, activity and reminiscence.
“Love Musgrove funds things at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton above and beyond what the NHS covers. It helps to create a comfortable, engaging environment for patients that supports family and friends too.
“The charity also provides staff with training and development opportunities, including state of the art equipment, and enables wards to buy items to make patients’ stays more comfortable.”
Reminiscence Learning was created and founded in 2001 by Fiona Mahoney an Occupational Therapist (OT), who has experience in both physical and mental health.
Since its launch, the multi-award-winning national and regional charity, which is based in Wellington, has grown and changed in response to individual and community needs.
Fiona Mahoney, Chief Executive of Reminiscence Learning, said: “It’s a real privilege to be part of Rumwell Farm Shop’s fundraising events for 2022 and we thank them for choosing us as one of their charities. We look forward to working with them throughout the year.”
The charity prides itself on being dynamic, forward thinking and innovative; putting the needs of the client and carer first and listening to their thoughts and requests.
Musgrove Park Hospital serves a population of more than 544,000 people across Somerset with more than 740 beds, 34 wards, 15 operating theatres, a fully equipped imaging department and a purpose-built cancer treatment centre.
Dan Varley, Community Fundraiser at Love Musgrove, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Rumwell Farm Shop this year and are so pleased they have chosen to support the patients and my colleagues at Musgrove Park Hospital.
“Fundraising from brilliant local businesses like Rumwell has such a huge impact on our work at the hospital, allowing us to go above and beyond what the NHS can provide to improve patient experience, buy additional equipment and continue to support our colleagues through what has been a difficult two years for them.
“We’re really looking forward to working on some events with the team and raising some funds for the hospital.”
Throughout the year Rumwell Farm Shop will be raising awareness of the wonderful work both charities do and donating a portion of sales from broccoli to Reminiscence Learning and chocolate coated raisins to Love Musgrove.
Anne continued: “To add to this, we will also divide the proceeds from all carrier bags sold in 2022 equally between the two charities. Plus, we’ll also be hosting some fundraising events during the year. We hope to raise at least £2,000 for each of these two wonderful organisations.”
Rumwell Farm Shop is an independent, family-run, award-winning business owned by the Mitchell family. It was originally a potato store, when David and Anne Mitchell began selling their potatoes and free-range eggs at the gate.
Due to customer demand, the range of products soon increased, and the farm shop grew into the place it is today. David and Anne’s sons, James and Jack, are now also involved in the business, as well as daughters-in-law Sophie and Donna.
Rumwell Farm Shop has a traditional Butchery counter selling its home-reared and free-range pork and Rumwell Angus beef. There is also The Rumwell Flower Shed on-site, a Delicatessen, Bakery, Jam Kitchen, Food Hall, Wine Cellar and Gift Room.
To kick off the fundraising for Love Musgrove, a Charity Quiz & Supper Evening will place at Rumwell Farm Shop on Friday, March 18, followed by more quizzes in May and September for both charities.
A ChariTea afternoon tea event will also take place in aid of Reminiscence Learning on Thursday, May 19 as part of Dementia Awareness Week and there will be other events for both charities throughout the year.
The Rumwell Café is a large and spacious building. The food prepared in the Café kitchen is sourced from the Farm Shop, the Mitchell family farm, which is just four miles away, and other regional suppliers.
Families are welcome to the Café and there is a menu especially for children. It also serves afternoon teas, roast carvery Sunday lunches and is licensed to sell alcoholic beverages.
For more information, please call Rumwell Farm Shop, which is located in Rumwell between Taunton and Wellington, on 01823 461599, visit www.rumwellfarmshop.com, follow the company on Twitter at www.twitter.com/rumwellfarmshop or log on to www.facebook.com/Rumwellfarmshop.
