At PLAY@ Lower Drayton Farm community is not an add-on to the business, it is central to everything the team does.

As a family-run farming business rooted in Staffordshire for generations, the owners understand the importance of supporting the people, organisations and communities around them. Their approach to corporate social responsibility is shaped by the belief that if their business is successful it should create positive impact far beyond the farm gates.

Over the past five years PLAY@ has grown from a diversification project into one of Staffordshire’s leading visitor attractions, welcoming around 130,000 visitors annually and employing approximately 70 staff. While the business has grown significantly the focus has remained firmly on community engagement, education, opportunity and sustainability.

One of the most important ways the business supports the community is through education. As farmers, the family believe it is vital that young people understand where food comes from, how farming supports the environment and the role agriculture plays in everyday life. Each year they welcome thousands of children onto the farm through school visits, home education sessions and outreach activities, providing hands-on learning experiences linked directly to STEM education, sustainability and food production.

These sessions allow children to engage with farming in a meaningful and memorable way whether that is meeting livestock, planting crops, harvesting vegetables or learning about renewable energy and regenerative farming practices. For many children, particularly those from urban backgrounds, these experiences provide their first real connection to farming and the countryside.

Beyond structured education, seasonal events are designed to strengthen community engagement. Events such as Lambs & Ewe, Harvest Hoedown, Sowing Season and PYO Pumpkins bring families together while helping visitors connect with rural life and the farming calendar.

The team work hard to ensure these experiences are inclusive and accessible. A dedicated home education programme provides opportunities for children who may benefit from alternative learning environments, while quieter sessions and flexible approaches help ensure visitors with additional needs feel welcome and supported.

Play@ Lower Drayton Farm, in Penkridge, has raised more than £10,000 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital through fundraising activities, events and awareness campaigns. It hosts a free Christmas event for families connected to the charity, using its facilities to create positive experiences for children facing difficult circumstances. The business regularly supports local schools, charities and community organisations through donations, fundraising support, raffle prizes and event partnerships.

Play@ Lower Drayton Farm has entered the Business in the Community category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards