At Orchard Trust, we offer a Supported Farm Placements Programme: specialised Animal Care and Gardening Placements based at our Stowfield smallholding.
Our placements are designed to provide adults with learning or physical disabilities more than just a day outdoors. By working across the Trust’s smallholding and allotment, participants are given a safe, supportive environment to learn tangible life skills, increase their independence, and achieve personal milestones.
Flexible and Person-Centered Support
To ensure the program is accessible to everyone, Orchard Trust offers flexible support levels tailored to individual needs. Options include 1:5 group sessions for those who thrive in a social, collaborative setting, and 1:1 individual support for those requiring a more personalised approach. Fees will vary depending on the level of support needed.
Available Placements
Orchard Trust offers two different placements: Animal Care and Gardening. Individuals can engage with either or both, depending on their interests and needs. Sessions take place weekly, outdoors, in covered barns and in the main barn where there are classrooms, an accessible kitchen, toilet facilities and accessible parking.
Animal Care Placements
Participants can get up close with animals in accessible paddocks, working in a safe and supportive team.
Activities include
- Animal feeding, handling and walking
- Egg collecting
- Cleaning pens
- Giving fresh bedding
- Light maintenance
- And much more
Gardening Placements
Participants can work on the land in a garden with raised beds and a large indoor and outdoor growing space with seating.
Activities include
- Sowing seeds
- Growing vegetables and flowers
- Harvesting produce
- Light maintenance
- Natural art
- And much more
Interested in our Placements?
We welcome prospective participants, families, and carers to visit our Stowfield site to see the new placements.
To arrange a visit or to learn more about the farm placements, please contact the team at admin@orchard-trust.org.uk or call 01594 861137.
Benefits Of Supported Farm Placements
Supported farm placements offer far more than a day out in the countryside. They create meaningful opportunities for adults with learning disabilities to grow, learn, and thrive.
Provide opportunities for social contact, building networks and making new friends
Improve soft skills, including teamwork, time management and communication
Introduce new concepts and techniques to improve self-confidence and self-esteem
Promote mental and physical health with regular and meaningful activities
Support participants to learn specific skills to empower them in their daily lives
Inspire a sense of achievement through helping a welcoming community venue
Interested in our Placements?
We welcome prospective participants, families, and carers to visit our Stowfield site to see the new placements. To arrange a visit or to learn more about the farm placements, please contact the team at admin@orchard-trust.org.uk or call 01594 861137.
