Day Provision
copy_F405EADD-C9D7-4E43-B104-C0E9854B3E0E.MOVOn Mondays and Tuesday we run a small day provision for individuals over 16 years of age with learning disabilities and autism, who like being outdoors and enjoy taking part in purposeful activities to help the running of our working farm.
We run two sessions per day a morning (9am-12noon) session and an afternoon session (12.30-3.30).
We run our sessions all through the year, no matter the weather we are usually outside. We encourage all our co-farmers to dress appropriately for this.
Co-farmers get the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities such as egg collecting, cleaning animal housing, growing vegetables, caring for farm animals, woodworking, and a range of seasonal farm tasks.
Learning and growing
Maths
Maths is a skill we use everyday. It may be through measuring or weighing animals, creating growth charts or counting feedbags. While at the farm you will be encouraged to take part in the everyday maths needed for the running of the farm.
Communication
During your time at Bland Close Farm we promote communication and aim to provide individuals with a variety of opportunities to communicate in the way that is suitable to them. This could be by using our 'jobs board' to communicate the task you would like to complete or by reporting back what tasks you have done to the farmers. We also aim to offer our co-farmers the opportunity to interact with members of the public and visitors to the farm. This may involve assisting with the sale of animals or showing a visitor around.
Hygiene
As part of our bio security policy, we will support you to maintain and follow good hygiene practices while at the farm. This will include supporting with hand hygiene, keeping clothes and boots clean as well as cleaning tools after use. All skills that can be taken forward into independency and home life.
Independence
The familiarity in the routine jobs at the start of every day will help you to build confidence, and will become the starting blocks for being able to complete farm tasks with increasing independence.
A typical day at Bland Close Farm
9.00am
We start the day in The Hub, our day barn, after being greeted by farm staff. Here you will be able to meet other people working on the farm that day and change into your P.P.E. After letting you know about any ‘farm news' We will have a chat about which jobs need doing today.
9.30 am
Time to check the morning ‘jobs board’. It will include routine jobs such as filling feed hoppers, checking on animals, collecting eggs, filling hay nets, spot cleaning etc. These jobs have the potential to be completed in small groups or individually.
10.30am
Once the morning jobs are completed it will be time for a short break in The Hub before moving onto a planned morning activity.
11.45am
Tidy up our tools, wash our hands and boots, this is where we say good bye to our morning workers.
12.00noon
Lunch. Please bring a packed lunch with you which you can enjoy in The Hub or outdoors in our Farmers Garden space.
12.30pm
We welcome our afternoon visitors and revisit our ‘jobs board’ to choose our first afternoon activity.
2.00pm
A quick break in the hub and then onto our second planned activity of the day.
3.15pm
Tidy up our tools, wash our hands and boots ready to reflect on the day and head home.
3.30pm finish
If you would like to join us on the farm for day provision or for more information please contact Dannie or Grace via email blandclosefarm@gmail.co.uk or phone 07983448727.