As well as being somewhere to build friendships, learn new skills and grow in confidence, the farm is a fantastic place to develop skills to notice our emotional state and to recognise how different activities can help us stay regulated.
Our Therapeutic Gardening sessions incorporate creative problem solving, which supports good decision making and self-management. Young people will learn practical skills around horticulture and animal care as well as build their knowledge around the natural environment.
The overall aim is to increase young people’s wellbeing and equip them for managing current challenges as well as their next stage of life.
Currently we deliver sessions to two client groups:
- Secondary School pupils who are struggling to attend school, at risk of exclusion or have additional learning needs.
- Young adults between the age of 16-25 who face various life challenges, such as leaving care, suffering with poor mental health and transitioning into employment.
The Farm
We have vegetables growing in the ground, in containers and in polytunnels. We also have fruit trees and bushes and several ponds. For animals, we have ducks, geese, chickens and Luna, the farm cat.
We have a volunteer room which offers a place to store bags and coats when they’re not needed, a kettle, toaster, fridge and microwave for use and somewhere warm and dry when the weather turns. We have a compost toilet which is clean and hygienic.
The farm is on the side of the Tanners Brook valley and there are various steps, slopes and ramps for getting about. There are only a few step-free spaces on the farm.
What to expect
Sessions run every week for 12 weeks and you will be supported to learn new skills, build confidence and strengthen your relationship with the natural world, other people and yourself.
- Arrive. Greetings, reminders, updates or news.
- Notice me. How am I feeling in my mind? How am I feeling in my body? Make a note in individual journals. This will be personal reflection rather than open sharing.
- Notice the farm. Wander around, pay attention, then come together and share what has changed since the last session and what we can see, smell, feel, hear and taste. Make a note in individual journals, share in discussion if comfortable.
- Set an intention. What would I like to gain from today’s session? Make a note in individual journal.
- Session content. (about 2 hours including a break) Tasks vary depending on the season, weather etc. We take breaks as well as work.
- Notice the farm. Wander around again, pay attention, then come together and share what has changed since we arrived and what we can see, smell, feel, hear and taste. Make a note in individual journals.
- Notice me. How am I feeling in my mind? How am I feeling in my body? Have I gained what I hoped to? Make a note in individual journals. This will be personal reflection with an option for open sharing.
All gardening equipment, tools, seeds, plants and materials will be provided, although gardeners may wish to bring their own gardening gloves if they have them, rather than wearing the (regularly washed) gloves we have available. We have a range of tea, coffee and herbal drinks available for free in the volunteer room, and a fridge to keep lunch in if needed.
Gardeners will need to bring:
- A pair of shoes or boots you don’t mind getting dirty.
- Clothes which you don’t mind getting dirty and which will be warm, cool or waterproof depending on the time of year and the weather forecast.
- A snack if you want for the break time.
- A hat for cold/rain/sun, and suncream too if you use it.
- Any emergency medications like an Epipen
Therapeutic Gardening for Schools
For secondary schools, we book weekly sessions for a group of up to 5 pupils. Sessions are 3 hours long and run within the school day. Pupils are welcome to bring lunch with them so they can enjoy their
lunch break at the farm. The minimum booking is for one half-term. However, most schools choose to reserve a weekly slot for the whole academic year. Schools are responsible for organising
transport to and from the farm for their pupils, and all groups must be accompanied by a member of staff from the school.
Therapeutic Gardening for young people
For young adults we host 12-week courses of weekly sessions. At the end of the 12 weeks, particpants are invited to join our team of regular volunteers. These are open for self-referral using the forms in the details below.
17 April to 3 July
- First session: Thursday 17 April 2025.
- Last session: Thursday 3 July 2025.
- Times: 1pm to 4pm every Thursday.
- Who is it for? anyone aged 16-25 who wants to help out on the farm.
- Cost: this is a funded group. No cost to join.
- Facilitator: Richard Pitt
- Joining: There is a simple form to fill out. Then we arrange for you to visit us before the group starts so you know what it’s like here.
- Contact Richard on 023 8218 2716 or info@aldermoorfarm.org.uk to find out more or get on the course.
