Changing Chalk Sussex Grazed Blog
- Published:
- 14 October 2025
Finding My Future on the Changing Chalk Project By Georgina Cockett
Reflecting on my 12-week internship as part of the Changing Chalk project, I’ve gained invaluable knowledge, developed new skills, and met inspiring people working to protect Sussex’s unique chalk landscapes. My placement was part of the Find Your Future programme, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity it gave me to explore a career path aligned with my degree and interests. It allowed me to gain valuable experience in work rooted in both the environment and community.
During my final year at university, I became aware of the Brighton & Hove Food Partnership. I admired their wide-reaching approach to food: from reducing food waste, to supporting emergency food networks and community growing. So, when the chance came to join them as an intern, working on this project, I leaped at the opportunity (maybe literally).
What I Have Learned as a Sussex Grazed Intern
Before starting, my understanding of UK farming and food systems was fairly limited. My knowledge came mostly from my university studies and some independent reading. But through working on Sussex Grazed, a key project within Changing Chalk, I’ve come to appreciate the complexity of the food and farming landscape here in Sussex.
Sussex Grazed is a meat box scheme that offers locally sourced, high-welfare animals to citizens of Brighton and the wider Changing Chalk project area. The scheme also works to highlight how these animals play a vital role in boosting biodiversity, improving soil health, and helping nature thrive across the chalk grasslands of Sussex. By grazing in a way that works with nature, they create the perfect conditions for wildflowers, insects, and other wildlife to flourish, all while supporting a more sustainable local food system.
While these aims may seem simple, I’ve learned that achieving these goals involves navigating a range of challenges from logistical hurdles to broader issues within the food system. This is particularly true for meat production, as the potential closure of the county’s last remaining abattoir poses a serious threat to Sussex’s meat industry, leaving farmers with very few options. With new challenges like this surfacing every day, this is no mean feat!
What My Role Involved
Throughout my internship, I’ve been responsible for creating and sharing social media content, writing blogs, and helping to promote our regular meat box shares. I enjoyed approaching this with fresh eyes and thinking creatively about how to tell the story of Sussex Grazed and engage our audience in the project’s values.
I also supported the delivery of our share events, helping pack and hand out shares from our Food Partnership Clubhouse on the Wilding Waterhall site. These days were always busy but very rewarding.
I’ve picked up so much along the way by reading, going to events, meeting people involved in this work and getting stuck into practical sessions. It’s really opened my eyes to how special the chalk grasslands are where I live, and how something as ‘simple’ as grazing animals can help protect this threatened habitat. I’ve also come to see how looking after the land can benefit both nature and local communities.
The Value of Changing Chalk and Find Your Future
Being part of Changing Chalk has been such a rewarding experience. The project brings together so many brilliant organisations working across the South Downs to protect rare habitats, improve access to nature, and help people reconnect with the land.
My internship was part of the Find Your Future programme, and I’m very grateful for the support I had along the way - especially from our programme lead, Josie Jeffrey. Her encouragement gave me confidence, and it was clear from the start how passionate she is about young people taking away as much as they possibly can from their time with Changing Chalk.
One of the highlights for me was meeting the other young interns and apprentices taking part in the project. We’ve all had different roles, but everyone I’ve met shares a genuine passion for protecting our local landscape and bringing people closer to nature. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know them and learning from their work, I still very much look forward to seeing them at meetings and events.
Highlights from My Placement
One standout moment was presenting at a Changing Chalk quarterly partners’ meeting. I shared a recent success story from Sussex Grazed and received warm and encouraging feedback on my confidence and enthusiasm.
Visiting Plumpton College to talk with agriculture students about Sussex Grazed and the wider Changing Chalk project was another memorable experience. We spoke about the importance of conservation grazing and how we manage direct meat sales.
A recent highlight for me was attending the Oxford Real Farming Conference. It was an inspiring event packed with insights into the UK food system and sustainable farming practices. I especially enjoyed sessions on ‘Sustainable Meat Production’ and ‘Funding an Agroecological Transition.’ Hearing from experts in the field was incredibly motivating and it was a great chance to connect with others working towards creating a better food system.
Final Reflections
This internship has been more than just a placement. It’s helped shape my goals, strengthen my skills, and deepen my commitment to building a fairer, more sustainable food system. I’ve come away feeling inspired, informed, and connected to a brilliant network of people working to protect Sussex’s landscapes and communities.
Since completing the 12-week internship, I’ve been lucky enough to turn the experience into a new chapter. The knowledge I gained, the connections I made, and the support from the team all helped me step into a long-term role with Brighton & Hove Food Partnership.
I’m so grateful to everyone I’ve met through the Changing Chalk project. The experience has given me confidence, direction and a real drive to continue this work, and I’m excited to carry on bring part of this brilliant project and team