What is Rural Care?

Rural care & education programmes are at the heart of everything we do here at Church Farm, providing training and work experience for people with learning disabilities and/or mental health issues in a supportive and caring environment on a fully working farm.

We offer educational trips, internships and programmes to local schools and colleges and also work in partnership with North Hertfordshire College to provide accredited training for their students with learning disabilities on the farm. 

Something for Everyone...

• Co-farmers work in small mixed ability teams in a variety of jobs to suit individual interests, needs and abilities

• Co-farmers are supported by fully qualified and experienced staff

• Students help to look after the livestock, and grow vegetables and fruit. Working in the farm store, cafe or kitchen to package and process food is also part of the experience as well as having fun and making new friends

• On a day at the farm, you might collect eggs, feed the pigs, sow seeds, harvest strawberries and serve customers in the cafe

Here’s some feedback from our Co-farmers

“I work here! I like coming here. We cleaned out the chickens and they looked so happy with their new straw” - June

“Weeding - I love weeding!” - Janice

“The orphaned lamb sits on my lap and I have to feed it milk with a bottle. The lamb thinks I am his dad” - Ronald

Getting involved with Rural Care is easy...

Gives us a ring or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. us for an application form and to arrange a visit to Church Farm. After this you will be invited for a taster day. During the day you will get involved in a variety of jobs so we can see if you like it and how much support you need. The next step is to organise the funding and transport. Co-farmers are charged according to their support needs: low, medium and high. When all that is in place, you can get started! Rural Care is open Monday-Friday throughout the year from 10am - 3pm.

Volunteers are welcome to help out with Rural Care or can work on their own so they can enjoy the tranquility of the farm. 

Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01438 861 447 for more information.

Donate

If you'd like to make a donation towards our work, a one off sum helps to buy:

-£15 will buy a light weight shovel for a co-farmer with learning disabilities at Rural Care to muck out the pigs more easily in Home field.

-£40 will buy a new wheelbarrow for one horticultural interns to cart the fresh vegetables to the cafe, the shop and pub.

Make a regular donation to Rural Care

Our regular supporters help to provide and maintain the facilities that Rural Care use, through standing order donations of £2 or more a month.

If you'd like to support our work, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01438 861 447 for more information.