Support Volunteer

We run several different training projects for adult students with learning disabilities at the Farm. Each focuses on a specific area animal care (Cow Pat), gardening (New Leaf and Plot to Shop) and cooking (Farm Produce).

We rely on a team of dedicated volunteers to help our Training Coordinators deliver these projects. Volunteers provide one-to-one support to help develop our adult students’ skills and enjoyment.

We look for volunteers who can commit regularly for a long period of time. Our adult students take time to get to know volunteers, work closely with them and rely on their regular support.

Experience within the project area is useful, but far more important is a volunteer who is enthusiastic, patient and understands the needs of our students.

New Leaf is a weekly training project for adult students with learning disabilities interested in growing and tending their own plot. Students learn horticultural skills and choose what they grow throughout the year, taking their produce home to their families.

Volunteers will enable our adult students to learn new gardening skills, to grow produce on their own plots and have fun! Volunteers need to give a regular weekly commitment on Tuesday, Wednesday and/or Thursday from 10am-3pm.

Cow Pat is a weekly training project for adult students with learning disabilities interested in working with the Farm’s animals. Students learn skills in animal husbandry, including feeding, animal care, grooming, incubation, birthing and mucking out. The project supports four long-term students, led by a member of staff and support workers.

Volunteers enable our adult students to care for our animals and have fun! Volunteers give a regular weekly commitment on a Friday from 10am-3pm.

Farm Produce is a training project for adult students with learning disabilities interested in using the produce from the Farm in cooking and craft work. Students use eggs to bake, plants from the dye garden to dye materials and bees wax to roll candles. Farm Produce runs from 10am-3pm on Wednesday.

Volunteers work alongside students to enable them to carry out their chosen weekly activity. Some cooking or craft knowledge would be beneficial in this volunteer role.

Volunteers enable our adult students to learn cooking and craft skills, to socialise and have fun! Volunteers need to give a regular weekly commitment on Wednesday from 10am-3pm.

Plot to Shop is a weekly progression project for adult students with learning disabilities, who work as a team to grow fruit and vegetables that they harvest and sell through our online farm shop. Volunteers play an important role in the team helping enable our students to carry out gardening or retail activities in an educational and fun environment.

Volunteers need to give a regular weekly commitment on Thursday from 10am-3pm.