Welcome to Maymessy 

A space where food, nature and learning come together to support those who need it most.

At Maymessy, we believe that through cooking, gardening, and time spent in nature, combined with creativity, connection and kindness, new opportunities can take root and lives can flourish.

Who we are

Maymessy is a cookery school and therapeutic garden based in rural South Oxfordshire, supporting people who are marginalised or experiencing disadvantage.
From our purpose-built Cookery School Barn, we run hands-on workshops that combine cooking, gardening and outdoor learning to help people build confidence, improve wellbeing and develop practical life skills.

We work with young carers, families in financial difficulty, people living with poor mental health, individuals with complex needs, refugees and survivors of domestic abuse. Each group that visits Maymessy is supported through a carefully designed programme, developed in partnership with the referring charity or organisation.

How we help

Workshops at Maymessy are structured around food, nature and community. We provide:

  • Cooking using seasonal, affordable ingredients, led by experienced chefs

  • Food education sessions covering nutrition, meal planning, cooking on a budget and reducing food waste

  • Therapeutic gardening, where participants grow, harvest and cook their own produce

  • Confidence-building activities designed to support mental health and wellbeing

  • Mentoring and training, with a focus on upskilling and pathways into employment

Our shared garden is central to our work. Groups learn about seasonality, sustainability and food provenance, while spending time outdoors in a calm, supportive setting. Every element of our programme is shaped by the needs and abilities of the people we support.

All staff and volunteers are DBS-checked, safeguarding trained, and chosen for their experience working with vulnerable groups.

Why it matters

  • 1 in 9 children in Oxfordshire are living in poverty.

  • 34% of Year 6 children are overweight or obese, and 58 per cent of adults in Oxfordshire fall into the same category.

  • Rates of depression and mental health conditions are rising across the county. In 2021–2022, 81,177 adults in Oxfordshire were diagnosed with depression. 

  • Only 1.7 per cent of green space in Oxfordshire is accessible to all. Maymessy offers 24 acres of land with 360-degree views of the Ridgeway, providing participants with access to nature and opportunities to develop green skills.

  • Loneliness has a significant impact on individual wellbeing. It contributes to poorer health outcomes and increases reliance on statutory services.

Information from Oxfordshire Uncovered 2024

A recognised social enterprise.

Maymessy’s impact has been recognised nationally:

  • Points of Light Award, presented by the Prime Minister’s Office

  • Inspiration Award 2024 from the Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers (OACP) for our partnership with Style Acre

  • Named in the Social Enterprise Index

  • Included in the WISE 100 Women of Inspiration list

Founder Anna Richards has also been recognised for her volunteer work during the pandemic, including support for NHS Oxford, and was invited to 10 Downing Street for International Women’s Day 2023.

“You have helped hundreds of families learn to cook nutritious and budget-friendly meals, while also whipping up delicious food packages for local healthcare workers.”
– Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson

Get involved

If you’re a charity, funder, referrer or someone who shares our values, we’d love to hear from you.

At Maymessy, good food gets its boots muddy – and lives are changed from the ground up.