GCF Training opportunities

To start....

A number of new training and information options have been developed as part of the Growing Care Farming project. For anyone interested in our training, we recommend as a starting point 

Principles of care farming  

Designed to give a background to care farming, this is a web resource and so is available at any time

For prospective or new care farmers and their staff:

Starting with care farming  

Designed for those interested in setting up a care farm or who want to know what's involved - with an introduction to care farming, what needs to be considered when setting up, and some guidance on how to get into care farming. This is an online course, so it is available at any time - just follow the link to book.

Developing good practice - for prospective and existing care farmers:

Developing good practice in care farming

Designed for both those who are new to care farming and for those already established - it gives a more detailed look at care farming, and addresses developing good practice delivering from your site. This is an online course, so it is available at any time - just follow the link to book.

Introduction to the Code of Practice

Care farmers have developed good practice on their site by working through the care farming Code of Practice. Prospective and new care farmers have also found that working through the Code process has given them a checklist of what needs to be covered, before opening their doors to service users (including policies, insurance, governance, safeguarding, health and safety etc.) The Introduction to the Code pages provide more details.This is web resource, so it is available at any time.

Working with specific client groups

We have also developed four courses that explore how care farming can meet the needs of specific client groups. These courses cover assessing local demand, establishing relationships with potential referrers, the specific benefits of care farming for this service user group and more - including developing your farm site to make it accessible and compatible for activities and users.

Care farming for mental health

A course offered in two formats, a 1-day face to face course (currently on hold due to Covid-19 restrictions) and an online blended learning version, designed for those wanting to deliver care farming or green care services for people living with mental ill health. Both formats are scheduled to take place at certain times, so for available dates just follow the link.

Care farming for Learning Disability and Autism Spectrum Disorders

A course offered in two formats, a 1-day face to face course (currently on hold due to Covid-19 restrictions) and an online blended learning version, designed for those wanting to deliver care farming or green care services for people with a Learning Disability or with Autism Spectrum disorders. Both formats are scheduled to take place at certain times, so for available dates just follow the link

Developing Alternative Provision on care farms

A course offered in two formats, a 1-day face to face course (currently on hold due to Covid-19 restrictions) and an online blended learning version, designed for those wanting to develop Alternative Provision and alternative education provision on their care farm or green care site. Both formats are scheduled to take place at certain times, so for available dates just follow the link

Nurturing young people with anxiety and depression through care farming

A course offered in two formats, a 1-day face to face course (currently on hold due to Covid-19 restrictions) and an online blended learning version, designed for those wanting to deliver care farming or green care services for young people with anxiety and/or depression. Both formats are scheduled to take place at certain times, so for available dates just follow the link.

Training offered by other organisations

We are also linking to other training opportunities that are being delivered by other organisations, courses that we think will be useful for care farmers and those wanting to start out in care farming:

• CEVAS - care farmer training via the 'Therapeutic Route'

• Countryman's Club

For training dates see here  

For a list of other events please see here - For recordings of our monthly themed webinars covering a wide range of subjects see here

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