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.
Working together to achieve an end goal whether that’s planting trees or feeding animals, helps young people to feel part of a community and that what they’re doing is valued and important. This can help to build resilience, self-esteem and help them to see that their contribution is worthwhile and works towards an end goal which is particularly important for young people who haven’t been able to attend a mainstream educational setting for a period.
Rituals, respect, and togetherness are important while developing a closer relationship with plants, animals and the natural world in spaces that allow creativity and give all a voice to contribute and be heard when on the farm.
Activities are delivered by a team who believes in accompanying young people on a mutual learning journey and through actively listening to their wants and needs. Through a social enterprise model, we exist in an ecosystem of services and provide our offer partnership with schools, health providers, organisations, and individuals by adopting a person-centred and trauma-informed approach.
We are committed to offering hope, reintegration and progression to YP most in need within our region, with a unique offer that can engage those who may struggle with other services due to our farm-based environment.
Alternative Education
We offer tailored alternative education and pastoral support, focusing on those with a high risk of under achievement.
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 learned patterns of behaviour.
Through experience we have found that many who struggle in a conventional classroom can thrive when given the opportunity to spend time in outdoor spaces interacting with the food system and nature.
Our activities develop specific skills, including teamwork, listening, confidence and resilience while also being able to offer AQA unit awards to capture on farm learning and achievement.
Our provision can support children and young people who:
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Cannot currently access school
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Are accessing school but benefit from additional support
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Have been excluded or are close to exclusion
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Have complex neurological conditions
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Are care experienced
We meet young people where they are and then accompany them on a journey together to discover for themselves the skills, abilities and unique gifts they possess.
It is possible to work with young people of a wide age range in either 1:1 or small group settings.
Holiday Activities
We are 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 session that mostly take place in our forest school area, but we also go on other adventures around the farm.
Our holiday activities take place during the school holidays and over the half terms
Times: Between 9:30-3pm
Ages: 6-13yrs
Food: Hot lunch, drinks and snacks are provided for young people throughout the day.
We have high staff ratios and our sessions are led by a level 3 qualified forest school leader. This enables us to give the young people who come to the farm the freedom to explore with activities including crafting, shelter building and fire lighting with time given for children to make new friends and build confidence.
All our camps are child-led and we are constantly seeing how we can meet the needs of the diverse range of children that attend our camps.
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.
We are happy to discuss your requirements to help provide a meaningful farm visit and the raw material for your follow-up work at school. Recently we have also purchased a people transporting trailer to ensure all young people’s visits to the farm are memorable.
At times we work with the Country Trust to provide additional support to schools from eligible backgrounds more information can be found here: The Country Trust – Our Programmes for schools
We work with a range of schools and can tailor visits to fit needs or focus on specific areas of learning.
Link to farm visits leaflet
Example timetable
10.00am: Arrive at the farm
10.15am: Introductions and health and safety/snack
10.30am: Farm tour
11.45am—12.30pm: Lunch break
12.30pm—2.00 pm: Afternoon activities
2.15pm: Departure
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.
