GCF Training: Care farming for Learning Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorders

Description of course: This course is an introduction to working with people who have a learning disability or ASD on a care farm or other green care site.

The Care Farming for Learning Disabilities and autism course will explore how care farming can be provided to meet the needs of this group. There is a long history of using care farming as a successful intervention with this user group. The course will investigate how to assess local demand for this provision and how to establish relationships with potential referrers. The benefits of care farming for the group will be discussed. Consideration will be given to how to create activity sessions that meet the needs of this group, how these fit into a typical day, and how to plan over a longer period.  You will investigate the importance of assessment, determining outcomes and possible progression routes for this group. Thought will be given to developing your farm site to make it accessible and compatible for activities and users. We will also describe where further information about the subject can be found and how Social Farms & Gardens support the expansion of care farming through the Growing Care Farming resources and the care farming Code of Practice.

Who should attend: Care farmers, prospective care farmers and green care providers who would like to offer regular, structured services to people with a Learning Disability or Autism Spectrum Disorders as part of a health or social care or education programme.

Format: Face to face learning, 9.30am for a 10am start - running until 4pm

Location: Meanwood Valley Urban Farm, Leeds

Delivered by: Thrive 

Cost: During the pilot phase of the Growing Care Farming project this face to face course will be offered free of charge to participants who are located in England -  on a first come, first served basis.

Booking is essential as spaces are limited and we will need to know numbers for catering requirements.