Beekeeping with e50K

Case Study: e50K

e50K creates inclusive, community‑centred spaces where Armed Forces families, veterans, and local civilians can build confidence, learn practical skills, and improve wellbeing through nature‑based activities. At Bramble Woods Community Garden we run multigenerational programmes that reduce social isolation, develop real‑world skills and support barrier groups.

Our beekeeping initiative, Bee50K, is part of our commitment to environmental stewardship, increasing biodiversity across the Defence Estate while offering meaningful roles, structured training, and a sense of belonging for volunteers and families.

 

How Support from the Delamere Dairy Foundation Helped

Support from the Delamere Dairy Foundation enabled e50K to formally establish the Bee50K Honey Project, providing the essential start‑up equipment, training, and safety infrastructure needed to introduce beekeeping at Bramble Woods Community Garden. This funding kick‑started:

  • The creation of safe, secure hive areas
  • Access to formal beekeeper education
  • The launch of a long‑term volunteer development plan
  • The groundwork for future community micro‑enterprise opportunities
  • Inclusive, safe activities for adults, the SEND community and children

Crucially, the grant gave e50K the capability to build a trained team. The charity now has eight active, fully trained beekeepers, with three volunteers completing their beginners’ beekeeping course at the end of 2025, and additional volunteers on a reserve list.

This structured pathway means e50K can continually train new volunteers, maintain stability despite military postings, and provide over 150 hours of accredited education each year.

 

What the Funding Achieved

Thanks to the Foundation’s support, Bee50K has progressed from a concept into a fully functioning social‑impact enterprise with measurable outputs:

Training & Skills Development: 8 trained volunteers, with the prospect to train further volunteers including 132 hours provided by The Richmond District Beekeeping Association.

Environmental Impact: A strong pollinator presence supporting a woodland, wildflower meadow, and community allotment, allowing the community project to directly contribute to the wider biodiversity across the Defence Estate. e50K are now a trained platform for SEND‑friendly environmental education sessions.

Reduction of Social Isolation:

  • Provides regular, positive social contact through weekly beekeeping and garden activities, helping volunteers form friendships and a sense of belonging.
  • Builds confidence and purpose by giving people meaningful, structured roles help them feel valued and connected.
  • Encourages teamwork and shared achievement through group training, and joint hive inspections, strengthening social bonds and reducing feelings of loneliness.

Honey Production & Products:

From e50K’s first harvest in September 2025, they collected:

  • 832g honeycomb
  • 168g beeswax
  • 2kg extracted honey (≈ 9 jars from 4 practice frames)

Testimonials

“We know from our participation surveys that hands-on volunteering experiences with the Bees has led to increased social cohesion, personal well being and a sense of belonging”

“Bee50K allows everyone to flourish – the bees themselves of course but also those who train, volunteer, visit and view the bees, as well as the wider environment.”