Welcome
This month we are making all the useful information and links easier to digest by splitting the content into two. You will receive this news update which highlights our events and resources. Later in the month you will get our useful round up of funding, training opportunities and regional highlights. This is part of our considerations around the future and with one eye on the difficult funding environment and a shortened project lifetime.
Rest assured though, that here at GCF we are looking at ways to ensure that care farming continues to get the support needed in 2022. Our good connections within the National Academy for Social Prescribing help to ensure that care farming is firmly in the green social prescribing arena.
We also continue to work with a range of partners to ensure that care farming remains as part of the considerations for the Environmental Land Management schemes as they develop. We believe passionately that care farming fits securely in the 'public money for public goods' category and would like to see it paid for as such.
News
All about education!
This month we are focussing on care farming and education. Last month we explained how we've teamed up with LEAF Education and other partners to make care farming more visible to teachers and education referrers. Care farming is now included on the popular Countryside Classroom website - a go-to website for teachers to find resources, places to visit and school support. The new care farming hub features an overview of care farming, a film, a searchable map, and care farm case studies. It's great to see the care farms which have already signed up so, if you haven't already done so, make sure you do!
New film
This month we're excited to introduce you to our new film and resource section on care farming and education on the SF&G site. We hope you enjoy the film and share it through your networks. We are very proud of it and want to extend our thanks to the farms, participants and supporters that took part. We think it gives a lovely overview of how care farming can work in supporting young people who may not thrive in mainstream education. Do let us know what you think!
Book now - Education Webinar
As part of our June theme on education we are also running a webinar on how care farming can be used to deliver educational services. We're looking forward to welcoming Rob Gayler from Lambourne End in Essex to talk about the education and alternative provision programme they deliver and there will be a chance to ask questions. The webinar is on June 24th between 2pm & 3pm. Book here.
We've recently been contacted by a number of farms which have been subject to spot checks by Ofsted due to concerns over sites running as illegal schools. If you've had this issue or have got anything to share regarding this, please get in touch as it may be something that could be a subject to discuss on a future webinar. For more information see the unregistered school inspection handbook here.
Roll up, roll up! Time for the Annual Survey!
After such a challenging year, the annual care farming survey is now more important than ever, and so we really need your help:
• To discover the effect that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on our sector
• To continue promoting care farming and lobbying on your behalf
• To highlight the role that care farming and green care can play in the nation's mental health recovery post Covid
The more care farms (and green care providers) that participate in this survey, the more accurate our data and the more credibility we have to represent your needs to policy makers and funders. If you're interested in seeing the results of the last survey you can find the report here.
So if you run a care farm or are thinking of setting one up, then please complete the survey here.
There is also a free prize draw for completing the survey!
Keeping care farmers connected
We were pleased to meet a mix of care farmers, prospectives and health care professionals at our North West care farming network meeting in May. While we miss getting out and seeing things in action on the farms, Zoom has been a fantastic way to connect and reach out to a much wider interest group.
The Yorkshire & Humberside care farmers also met at the beginning of June providing continued opportunities for informal chat and support.
Let us know if you'd be interested in leading a network in your area, or if there is a group we can put others in touch with. We'd be happy to support!
South of England: Care Farming Awareness Event - (30th June, 10am - 12pm)
Do you want to find out more about care farms across the south of England? Interested in how they started up, how they work and how placements are paid for? Join us for a free 2 hour online event where we will highlight the work of several South of England based care farms and discuss ways of establishing networks to support the growth of the sector across the regions. Book here.
See all our events
Care farms achieving the Code of Practice
Congratulations to the following organisation which has recently achieved the Code of Practice!
Red Castle Training, Herefordshire offers alternative provision through animal care, arts and equine courses. Having achieved the Code, Red Castle Training has been provided with the ‘Meeting the care farming Code of Practice’ logo which can be used on marketing materials and their website and will also feature on our ‘Find care farming services’ map. They have also been given the opportunity to have their services promoted on social media or on our website by featuring as a case study. And lastly, they have been issued a Code certificate to say that they have achieved the Code of Practice which can be displayed or used as required.
If you're interested in the Code of Practice or would like support to go through it, click here for more information.
Upcoming Training
11th - 25th June 2021 Developing Alternative Provision on care farms - Find out how care farming can be provided to help meet the needs of young people on Alternative Provision.
25th June - 9th July 2021 Care farming for mental health - Learn how care farming can meet the needs of those with living with mental ill health.
For full details of all our training and to book, visit our Training webpages.
Stay safe everyone and keep in touch with us. We love to hear from you! You can send general enquiries to [email protected] or you can contact Debbie and Rachel on [email protected].
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