Star Stories: Oasis Southampton City Farm

Oasis Southampton City Farm has long been a cherished part of our community, but recently it has been recognised in a particularly meaningful way.

As part of our Stars for Stars awards, the farm has been honoured for its outstanding contribution to mental wellbeing across the city in our winter round of nominations.

A project of the Oasis charitable trust, it’s grounded in values of inclusion, community and connection. Its ethos centres on creating a safe and nurturing environment where people of all ages and backgrounds can experience the therapeutic benefits of nature, animals and outdoor learning.

Kindness, compassion & human connection

The team’s commitment to kindness, compassion and genuine human connection shines through in every aspect of their work.

Farm Manager Tom Kitcher says: “Our Stars for Stars recognition means a huge amount to our team. Everyone at Southampton City Farm – our volunteers and staff – puts real care and energy into building genuine connections with the people who come through our gates. Knowing that our efforts make a positive difference to people’s mental health is incredibly meaningful and it motivates us to keep showing up for our community and growing this support together.”

Why the farm was nominated

The anonymous Stars for Stars nomination submitted through us reflects just how deeply the farm’s impact is felt. According to the nominator, the staff and volunteers consistently go ‘above and beyond’ to create a safe, supportive and uplifting environment for individuals facing mental health challenges. Their work directly improves wellbeing, offering a calm therapeutic space where people can reconnect with nature at their own pace and feel valued, respected and understood.

Person-centred approach

The nomination also highlighted the farm’s inclusive, person-centred approach, particularly for individuals with complex needs or long-term health conditions. Activities such as gardening, animal care and outdoor learning help reduce anxiety, build confidence and promote a sense of achievement. The team actively nurtures community and friendship, helping to combat loneliness – one of the major contributors to poor mental health. Visitors described the farm as a ‘safe space’ where they felt a sense of belonging.

Also recognising Hannah Tilley

Alongside the farm’s general nomination, an individual member of the team was also put forward for a Stars for Stars award this quarter: Hannah Tilley, Farm Youth Lead. Hannah was nominated by Tom, who highlighted both her personal resilience and her extraordinary dedication to supporting vulnerable young people.

Hannah has worked at the farm for around 10 years and brings not only professional experience but a deeply personal understanding of mental health challenges.

Bubbly, warm & friendly human

As noted in the nomination, she has faced her own difficult journey, yet continues to be ‘a bubbly, warm and friendly human’ who pours her energy into helping others. Recently, she has been working closely with young people with a mixture of learning needs, disabilities and significant mental health struggles. Using her lived experience as a source of empathy and strength, she has made a remarkable impact.

Brings joy

What stands out most is how Hannah goes far beyond the expectations of her role. According to the nomination, she has created bespoke activities in her own time to ensure that these young people have the best possible experience at the farm. She uses rescued animals to help improve engagement, provides encouragement with compassion and brings joy and motivation to the wider team. Her influence is described as giving both young people and colleagues a ‘boost,’ contributing significantly to the positive, uplifting atmosphere the farm is known for.

A community built on care

Oasis Southampton City Farm continues to demonstrate how community spaces rooted in kindness, connection and purpose can transform lives. Both the organisational nomination and the heartfelt nomination for Hannah highlight the values that define this special place: empathy, inclusion, understanding and genuine human warmth.

Exceptional individuals

Our Stars for Stars recognition is a testament not only to the farm’s contribution to mental wellbeing across Southampton but also to the exceptional individuals – staff and volunteers alike – who make it a place of hope, healing and belonging for all who walk through its gates.

Like to nominate your star or stars?

Put forward your star, or stars, today and help us make Southampton a brighter, kinder place for all. Please nominate them here! Nominations for our current quarter can be made until the end of March.

You can also find out more about the scheme here.