Young adults from charity help with harvest

Young adults from the charity Halow have been helping with the harvest at Birtley Estate

Young adults with learning disabilities and autism have been helping an orchard in Surrey with its harvest.

A team from the Guildford-based charity Halow has been helping out at Birtley Estate in Bramley.

Staff at the 70-acre estate, which houses a care home, say the partnership is "mutually beneficial", and it helps them complete the harvest on time, while the young people "enjoy working outdoors".

Simon Whalley, chair of Birtley House Group, said: "The whole project is part of our commitment as a care home to community involvement."

The estate, which has 700 cider apple trees producing six different types of apples, has been working with Halow for several years.

The charity aims to "equip young adults with learning disabilities and autism to live a life of purpose".

Every year it supports over 350 young adults in Surrey.

Chris Gay, fundraiser at the charity, said: "This is one of the services we officer to young people over 25.

"It gives them social activities, they meet people and spend time outdoors."

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