Lottery-Funded Project in Ashprington Brings Diverse Devon Communities Together

Ambios Ltd is  a not-for-profit running training projects that help people achieve their goals for nature/science/education and employment. They are delighted to announce the launch of Breaking Bread, a new community-focused project funded by The National Lottery Awards for All. Over the next 12 months, the initiative will host 16 shared lunchtime meals at Lower Sharpham Barton Farm in Ashprington, creating welcoming spaces where people from the diverse local communities that interact with the farm can come together to connect, share food, and build lasting friendships.

At the heart of the project is a commitment to inclusion and opportunity. Breaking Bread will support United Response service users – adults with learning disabilities – by offering employment opportunities as part of the lunchtime team, helping the people United Response support gain valuable life and work skills in a supportive environment.

The meals will feature healthy, locally sourced food, with as much as possible coming from Ambios’ own farm and market garden. Some meals will specifically support those affected by the cost-of-living crisis, ensuring access to nutritious food remains available to all through a pay-what-you-can model. Set against the beautiful landscape near the River Dart, the farm offers a unique and welcoming setting for community gatherings throughout the year.

Jack Skuse, Ambios Director, explains the vision behind the project: “We’re delighted that the National Lottery is supporting this project which we feel will bring together the different communities who interact with our work at Sharpham. Thanks to Sima, from the Kitchen Table in Totnes and our Ambios team we can host some wonderful meals. Breaking Bread events will be taking place throughout the summer and are made possible thanks to National Lottery Awards for All funding, supporting investment in our garden and wider community.”

Zoe Montgomery, Gardener at Ambios, explains the vision behind the project: “Just imagine if everyone had access to good, healthy food, and we actually sat down and shared it with each other. Eating together is beneficial for our wellbeing, our bodies and our sense of connection. There’s something powerful about sharing a meal. It’s not just about eating – it brings people together in a real way. That’s really what our Breaking Bread project is all about.”

The first Breaking Bread event held in October celebrated local food and collaboration, with community members preparing, serving, and enjoying dishes ranging from roasted squash and slow-cooked beef from the farm to freshly picked salads from Ambios’ market garden

Ambios Ltd is a not-for-profit running training projects that help people achieve their goals for nature/science/education and employment

and homemade bread. The next event on 27th March will celebrate the culmination of recent nature recovery work through tree planting that has been happening at Sharpham since 2023.