Why is there a need?
Some parts of Society forget Not everyone can Touch, See, Hear, Smell, Taste - Everyone has different reactions, thoughts, opinions, views, capability, choice, beliefs, backgrounds, feelings, barriers or restrictions.
We were inspired to create a care farm where activities are structured, purposeful, and empowering. This allows opportunities for developing new skills and improving capability. The activities encourage communication, sharing, and development for everyone involved. The animal and horticulture activities form direct links to human day-to-day needs, like cooking and cleaning, and help tackle the inequality vulnerable people face, in the lack of access to green space. This strengthens the understanding and hope for growth and independence in a friendly, relaxed but safe environment. People with disabilities and long term health problems DO NOT have an equal access to facilities in nature and this was researched and recorded throughout the Covid epidemic.
Our Environmental Ecology plan commissioned in 2021, predicts our intervention and planting will attract over 300 new species to the area and increase biodiversity
Who are we?
Our Charity was created in 2019 after 2 years spent supporting vulnerable people in various community settings by using craft, cooking and horticulture. We have been based in Horfield, Kingswood, Staple Hill and Cadbury Heath, where we implemented community projects and included people with multiple disabilities, social care participants, those with long term health conditions and mental health and well-being needs who struggle to access mainstream facilities because of the lack of opportunity or dedicated support. Sadly, adults and children who don't fit the norm and need different facilities/access/space simply, get left behind. Many of our volunteers have long careers in Government departments and have collated their knowledge and experience to create a unique project. Our values are embedded in Equality and Diversity to target the difficulties faced by vulnerable people associated with mental health, well-being and self-development.
Why did we listen and create? Throughout the past few years, we have gathered views from participants and referrals and sought to adapt our offering to meet individual need. We feel it is imperative to offer a warm, friendly, fun atmosphere whilst maintaining activity that is both meaningful and purposeful. We gratefully accept feedback after each session, and use this to guide us going forward, and we quickly learn what works for those that attend. The local community are very supportive of us, and we get many offers from them to volunteer on the farm. Three groups from Aviva have volunteered and worked with us during 2021 and another group is volunteering in June 2022.
What do we need? We want to offer innovative projects that enable people to move forward. To do that, we need ergonomic tools with easy grip handles, pathways for wheelchair users so they can access the animals and our sensory area, raised beds for gardening for people with back injuries, wildlife camera's to record activities in nature to share with people who are housebound, a disabled toilet so welfare facilities are accessible, willow canes to help in the recovery of people with brain injury, forestry tools for disabled children to participate in a forestry school, perching stools for people who have difficulty standing, shelters for the growing areas, our list could be endless. Every person is unique and has different needs from the tools they use, to how they are able to use them and where they can work. However each and every donation will enable marginalised individuals to be engaged, feel part of something worthwhile and gain more independence.
Feedback from users ..............
A 23 year old with debilitating ME stated she felt lifted and following her visit felt she had found something to make her life feel more worthwhile
A 55 year old suffering a brain injury commented - he felt relaxed and that he belonged
A 11 year old child with autism had her imagination captured when she created a willow basket
A mother cried as her child with Down Syndrome engaged with the animals and said, she couldn't believe how happy he was and how at ease he was around the animals
A group from a social care organisation were observed laughing and enjoying the experience when walking the goats and large continental rabbits
Most of these people have comprised immune systems and places like the care farm are the only place they visited during lockdown because of their health conditions.
Our 'youngest' participant, so far, and resident volunteer, proud of belonging and proud of his achievements. Roy loves to tell people about the farm and strides around it with such pride. His smile is never too far from his face and his kindness is emanated.Roy is always ready to take up any task, he has painted, sawn wood, make willow bird feeders, grown plants, walked the goats, fed the chickens and sampled the fresh eggs with his home-made Scotch Eggs.He has a purpose in life now and his health and well being are simply extraordinary for a man in his 70's. Roy has followed us and attended every venue we have operated from and is normally present during every every fund raising event.
He made a scarecrow back in 2018 which is about to be permanently placed on the farm along with many of his other achievements. His learning disability and diabetes do not deter him and he is a treasure to us!
Our beautiful valais blacknose sheep with coats that need shearing twice a year which we intend to wash, spin and use. The sheep love to run alongside you when you visit.
One of our continental giant rabbits
One of our very first harvests - the taste was 5*, grow your own and you'll taste the difference!
