Adults with Learning Difficulties
St Werburghs City Farm is a green oasis in the heart of Bristol city. Like an outdoor community centre, the Farm provides a safe, accessible and well equipped environment in which people can learn new skills and grow in confidence and independence.
With our 4 acre working livestock Farm and 2 acre community garden, we offer unique training opportunities and practical placements in horticulture and animal care for adults with learning difficulties and mental health concerns. Both the Farm and the community garden in which we work is open to all, this gives our trainees the opportunity for social interaction with the wide community in a safe environment.
Horticultural Training Placements – Available Monday to Wednesday
At the bottom of the Farm site, nestled amongst the trees, is the Horticultural Training Cabin. With a high staff to trainee ratio, the HT unit offers unique training opportunities and therapeutic placements for adults living in the Bristol and South Gloucester area. HT trainees are supported in a range of practical activities on the Farm site and in the Community Garden, trainees learn about organic gardening, growing fruit and vegetables, seed sowing and plant propagation, presenting plants for sale and gardening related craft activities.
The HT unit provides Open College Network training in entry-level horticulture as well as our own in-house seasonal certificates to recognise the achievements of all our trainees.
By caring for the Farm’s gardens, borders and green spaces, the HT placements offer people the chance to participate within their community, meet new friends and gain new skills in a relaxing, therapeutic and supportive environment.
Animal Care Placements – Available Thursday and Friday’s
Animal Care Trainees learn about caring for farm animals and the other roles involved in managing a small working Farm. Activities are practical, energetic but very rewarding and extremely unique to those living in a city. Experiences include feeding and handling the animals, cleaning animal pens, fence building, painting, basic construction and so much more. We value everyone’s contribution and integrate people into the daily life of the Farm wherever possible – from collecting the eggs to sweeping the paths.
All animal care placements will receive a portfolio with certificates on tasks completed and achievements gained.
Placement costs…
The Farm’s Placements are run by experienced staff on a unique site with dedicated resources and equipment – this means that places are very popular. We have a few places available through a Block Contract with Bristol City Council, however these places are reserved for service users with specific support needs and abilities. If you would like to book a placement, the cost will be as follows…
Full Day Session from 9.30 to 3.30
Day Placements range between £50 and £75 depending on support needs
Half Day Sessions from 9.30 to 12.30 or 12.30 to 3.30pm
Day Placements range between £30 and £45 depending on support needs
Placements can be arranged through individual ‘personal payments’, referrals through Bristol City Council’s day care services and as part of a contract with South Gloucestershire Council.
For more information contact:
HT Placements: Shelley McGovern, Horticulture Training Manager on 0117 9442149 (Mon to Wed only) or email: swcityfarm@btconnect.com
Farm Placements: Tim Child, Livestock Manager on 0117 942 8241 or email: office@swcityfarm.co.uk
