Rural Care

Care Farming

Care farming is the therapeutic use of farming practices and agricultural tasks to provide health, social, and educational care services. Also known as social farming, it combines nature-based settings with structured, meaningful work to support people with defined needs.

 

Rural Care

Rural Care is a day provision that provides care farming opportunities for people with learning disabilities in a supportive and caring environment.

We are based over two sites in Hertfordshire – Church Farm, a 175 acre farm in Ardeley and Aldenham Country Park, a 100 acre country park surrounding a 60 acre lake.

Volunteers are welcome and can help out with Rural Care or can work on their own so they can enjoy the tranquillity of the farm.

Rural Care offers something for everyone.

• We all work together so everyone attending the care farm is called a Co-Farmer.
• Co-Farmers work in small mixed-ability groups, in a variety of jobs to suit individual interests, needs and abilities. Some of our Co-Farmers have complex needs and are supported one-to-one.
• Co-Farmers are supported by experienced staff.
• We help to look after livestock, grow fruit and vegetables, get involved in nature conservation work and crafts, all while making new friends and having fun.
• A typical day might involve collecting the eggs, feeding the pigs, sowing seeds or
  harvesting vegetables.
• Each day varies, throughout the seasons we enjoy being outdoors come rain or
  shine.

Our person-centred approach to learning and experiencing the farm.

Everyone who attends Rural Care is treated as an individual and a person-centered support plan is created for each Co-Farmer. We encourage active experiences and learning in an environment where we challenge, nurture and enable people.

What we offer here can develop life and social skills, increase self-esteem and independence, build confidence and encourage stability. We have seen that purposeful outdoor activities aid mental health as well as emotional and physical wellbeing.