Solidarity : mutual support within a group
We provide a unique learning environment for children and young people to experience all the benefits of nature, cultivating social-emotional skills and building confidence.
Solidarity Farm is located on an organic farm at the edge of the Northumberland national park. It has a pedigree herd of Luing cattle and a flock of sheep, creating an environment where those who may struggle with more formal approaches to education can experience community and belonging.
Vision
Supporting all vulnerable children and young people who struggle with mainstream education to thrive by creating an environment that gives them a sense of belonging, enables them to learn new skills and reach their full potential.
Mission
To work in partnership with schools and organisations working with vulnerable children and young people, utilising farming practices and the natural environment.
We create a psychologically safe learning environment where relationships of trust are built, and individual transformation can take place allowing progression or re-integration into mainstream education.
What we do
Solidarity Farm believes in mutual support within a group. We give young people a space to belong and discover more about themselves through undertaking meaningful, fun and character-building activities.
Young people spend quality time outdoors in a safe and supportive farm-based environment that allows the development of a community through undertaking shared experiences that are enriching but also offer different perspectives.
Alternative Education
Offering tailored alternative education and pastoral support, focusing on those with a high risk of underachieving. This is particularly valuable for neurodivergent children and young people who thrive with open play and being in outdoor spaces with the freedom to stretch boundaries and interrupt learnt patterns of behaviour.
Holiday Activities
Part of the Holiday Activities Fund in Northumberland with support of Leading Link and Wingate’s Wind Farm, we provide healthy food and enriching activities during our sessions that mostly take place in our forest school area, but we also go on other adventures around the farm.
Educational Farm Visits
Thanks to DEFRA countryside stewardship, we can offer funded farm visits for schools. We hope to enrich the learning experience of children through their visit to a real working farm, providing the farm and countryside as an outdoor classroom.
Case Study
In 2024 we developed a project called Aspire working with a small group of young people from a local high school.
Arrival
Group meeting/reflection | Create a sense of belonging and shared achievement while sharing future goals and aspirations.
Seasonal activities – Sheep work, conservation, etc | Support young people in small groups and 1:1
Lunchtime
Shared lunch with space for building community and sharing experiences to develop communities.
Forest school activity or challenge project | Young people led activities to create a space for leadership, creativity, and innovation
Final reflection and depart
A time to reflect on what went well and what they have achieved as a group and individually while also allowing time to reflect on future sessions.
“Amazing experience at the Solidarity Farm…the students who have been attending could not speak highly enough. We are getting the same feedback from school staff as well”
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Our Funders
We are immensely grateful to the many organisations and individuals that fund our work and could not have got this far without our supporters who have accompanied us on the journey.
