The Farm runs 3 different types of training course for adults with learning disabilities.  Students choose and plan their own training, working individually to make, grow or look after farming related products, plants and animals at Surrey Docks Farm.

Cow Pat started in 2004 as a response to existing students interest in working with the farm’s animals.  Training takes place in the main yard, fields, duck pond and indoor classroom. Students learn skills in animal husbandry, including feeding, animal care, grooming, incubation, birthing, mucking out and milking.  For more information, please contact Claire by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

New Leaf Project

New Leaf started in 1993 and provides training in horticulture. Training takes place using the greenhouse, polytunnels and vegetable garden. The project also has a room for indoor work. Students learn the skills of growing vegetables and flowers, which are taken home or sold to the public who visit the farm.  For more information, please contact James by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Farm Produce Project

The Farm Produce project started in 1995. Students learn the skills necessary to process and make a range of farm produce including goats milk yogurt and cheese, jams and pickles, baking and bread making and felt making with wool from our own sheep. Students can also learn beekeeping to produce honey and beeswax for candles and batik. Students choose their own work, planning processing projects that they are interested in and deciding whether to sell produce to the public or take it home.  For more information, please contact Cath by  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Students attend one or more of the projects for one or two days a week from 10am to 3pm. The projects run for 40 weeks a year, Monday to Thursday. We aim to provide training for people with a wide range of support needs. Trainees choose their own course of learning from the options available, and review progress regularly with their trainer. A maximum of four people attend each project each day. There is an initial 4-week trial period for a student to decide if they would like a place and for the trainer to decide if a place can be offered. People usually attend for a period of about 3 years, although the actual length of time is agreed with each person and can be reviewed. Places are funded by service level agreements and individual contracts authorised by Social Services.

For each project there is one full time trainer. In addition volunteers are recruited specifically to support people attending the projects. There is usually at least one volunteer each day working with each project.

Telephone 020 7231 1010 for more information