Where Care for Land and People Meet
What is Rural Care?
Rural Care at Aldenham Country Park is a day provision that provides work-related experiences for people with learning disabilities and additional needs in a supportive and caring environment. Co-Farmers are supported by our team of qualified and experienced staff to take part in purposeful activities while having fun and making new friends.
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 on a variety of jobs to suit their individual needs, interests and abilities. Some of our Co-Farmers have complex needs and are supported 1:1. We help to look after livestock, grow fruit and vegetables, get involved in nature conservation work and make crafts to sell in the farm shop. A typical day might involve caring for our chickens and collecting their eggs, sowing seeds or harvesting vegetables, and making bird feeders from reclaimed wood. Each day varies throughout the seasons, we enjoy being outdoors come rain or shine.
Our Person-Centred Approach
Everyone who attends Rural Care is treated as an individual, and a person-centred 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 promote stability. We have seen that purposeful outdoor activities aid mental health and emotional and physical wellbeing.
Getting Started in Rural Care
Call or e-mail us for an application form and to arrange a visit to Aldenham Country Park. After this, you will be invited for a taster day where you can get involved in a variety of jobs so you can see if you like it and how much support you might need. The next step is to organise the funding and transport for a place in Rural Care. Co-Farmers are charged according to their support needs: low, medium and high. When all of that is in place, you can get started! Rural Care is open Monday-Friday throughout the year from 9:30am-3:00pm.
Volunteering in Rural Care
If you would like to volunteer in Rural Care and help us to support people with learning disabilities and additional needs, please call or e-mail us for an application form and to arrange a visit to Aldenham Country Park.
Supporting Schools and Colleges
We currently work with a range of local schools and colleges to provide a weekly alternative provision at the farm for students with additional needs. We work with each school to create tailor-made educational experiences both inside and outside the classroom that are exciting, practical, motivating and fun. Some of our students work towards a Level 1 Award in Animal Care through the National Open College Network. To find out more about our schools and colleges programme, please click here.
Contact Us
Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 07788 251 721 for more information.
