There was plenty of piggery-pokery as a team from a Truro bank spent a day on construction projects at a charity farm near Blackwater recently.

A team of 30 Barclays employees spent the day at ROC’s Boscawen Farm where they built a major part of a piggery and put up the framework for a poly tunnel. These projects will significantly enrich the farm as a learning environment for the growing numbers of local people with learning disabilities who use the farm.

Karen Hurn, the corporate head of Barclays' support team who led the project, said: "We are delighted to have supported ROC and would like to thank everyone who helped us to make this happen. Alongside our shared growth ambition, Barclays has a fantastic colleague community programme that encourages employees to get involved in the causes we care about. It’s about giving back our skills, time and energy to support our local communities – so we’re thrilled to have taken part."

Paul Deakin from ROC said: "The charity has had plans for a piggery for years but lacked the resources to make it a reality. Pigs are ideal for people with learning disabilities to work with as they require individual care and support. And a second poly tunnel will enable horticulture to become an all year round activity – not spring and summer only.

"Together with our fundraising for a two seater trainer tractor, Barclays’ colleagues actions have taken ROC’s vision for the people we support a giant step forward as we transform the farm into a pathway to the world of commercial training, experience and work. Karen and their colleagues have my sincere gratitude."

Rob Nolan, mayor of Truro, added: "All ROC’s local services are geared to promoting social and work place inclusion for people with learning disabilities. I am delighted with what the colleagues from Barclays have achieved in improving the facilities of the farm.

"ROC is my official charity and with the support of the immediate past mayor, councillor Lorrie Eathorne Gibbons, I am delighted to play a small part in helping to give people with learning disabilities the same life chances we so readily take for granted."