DAY OPPORTUNITIES AT HOLTWOOD COMMUNITY FARM
Since its inception, Holtwood Community Farm has been a place for those with learning disabilities, autism and mental health difficulties to come and enjoy working in the outdoors. We believe that being outside and working in a farm environment is a hugely beneficial experience for anyone, and can be especially so for our clients. We have created a fun, sociable and safe environment for people to come and learn about farming, gardening, animal care and the countryside whilst making new friends and undertaking meaningful work.
People visit us from across Dorset and Hampshire to spend the day and work with a variety of animals, help in the gardens and undertake different jobs around the farm.
Who can attend the farm
Here at Holtwood Community Farm we are as inclusive as possible; we are able to support adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities who are able to work as part of a group, with one of our members of staff. Those that require closer support can attend with their own staff to enable them to make the most of their time with us.
For those with mental health difficulties, we have several options dependent on your needs, please contact us for more information on how we can help you.
Being a farm environment, quite a lot of the ground can be muddy and rough so a certain amount of mobility is required and regrettably, we are not able to cater for wheel chair users.
What does a day at the farm involve
Every day at the farm begins around 9am and comprises three work sessions separated by a tea break (at around 11am) and a lunch break (at 1pm). The day finishes at 3:15pm. We are open as a day opportunity Monday - Friday only and we are open all year round.
Operating a busy small holding is a huge amount of work, and there is always different things to do. We have a set routine that we follow every day but with different jobs being selected, depending on peoples abilities. Some jobs are carried out year round and some are seasonal.
These are some of the activities on the farm:
Animal Care
At Holtwood, we have a wide variety of animals that need taking care of; Chickens, Pigs, Sheep, Goats, Ducks, Rabbits and more. Our clients help with almost all aspects of animal care including feeding, cleaning and day to day care.
Gardening
During the warmer months we grow a large number of fruit andvegetables for both clients and staff to enjoy and also to stock our shop. Our clients are involved in all aspects of horticulture from preparing the ground in spring and sowing seeds, right through to harvesting in autumn and winter.
We believe that being involved in the whole growing experience is hugely rewarding, especially so if you can taste the fruits of your labour.
Maintenance
There is always a long list of jobs that need doing on the farm and clients assist with a wide range of these, from fencing to building animal houses, mowing grass and cutting hedges.
We tailor these jobs depending on the group we are working with so that everyone can be involved in a safe and responsible way.
The shop
Our small on site shop offers an outlet to sell eggs, meat and all the excess vegetables that we grow through the season.
The shop is not manned but needs looking after and clients help with cleaning, stocking and sorting produce.
How to find out more
For anyone that is interested in finding out more; we recommend contacting us to arrange a visit, during which you will be shown round by one of our members of staff. We are also able to offer a free of charge trial day which can be arranged after your initial visit.
We currently only offer full day's at the farm, these run from 9am - 3:15pm and are priced at £63+ VAT per day. If you would like to discuss funding and your options please give us a call.
Please use the enquiry form, email address or telephone number on the Contact us page to speak to us.
We currently have places available on every week day apart from Thursday
© Copyright Holtwood Community Farm LLP
Registered Office address: Hoy Lodge, Chapel Lane, Winterborne Stickland , Blandford, DT11 0NG
Registration number: OC359109, Registered at Companies house, VAT Registration no:125701735