Activities on Offer

Green Care Model of Delivery

Using a ‘Green Care’ model of delivery HCF provides a variety of land-based supported activities that are designed, structured, and adapted to meet the needs of each individual facilitating them to participate fully in the activities of their choice. This enabling approach that engages people in meaningful and enjoyable activity where every achievement is valued empowers the individual to believe in the possibility of change and to become the change they wish to see.

The natural environment and the non-threatening appeal of animals are used to facilitate approached that will engage people in activities to support mental and physical well-being, create opportunities for learning, develop a sense of self, and empower people to become more active in their community.

Learn more about Green Care

Activities on offer include

Horiculture Therapy
Green woodworking
Eco carpentry (upcycling and making items from reclaimed timber)
Working with the large and small animals & ponies
Nature walks
Arts & Crafts
Cookery & Life Skills

Therapeutic Horticulture

Connecting with the natural environment through horticulture to promote physical and mental well-being;

Promotes understanding of the cycle of life – planting seeds and nurturing new growth
Promotes physical activity – tasks can be adapted to suit all abilities
Growing organic fruit and vegetables creates awareness of the importance of nutrition as an approach to a healthy lifestyle
Learning new skills and building confidence and self-esteem through shared activity with a common purpose

Produce grown at the farm is freshly picked for use in healthy eating cookery sessions helping people to learn food preparation skills or in our field kitchen.

Surplus produce may be supplied to the Hereford Food Bank or local cafes and some of our regular attendees have their own garden plot to grow produce to take home.

We grow produce organically using our own sustainably produced compost and our facilities include a large greenhouse, potting shed, fruit, and vegetable gardens, orchard area and more accessible raised bed growing areas for seated gardening.

Green woodworking

Using traditional methods and hand tools to shape unseasoned freshly cut timber into useful items such as stools, chairs, and smaller items such as candle sticks, garden dibbers, or kitchen utensils. Each piece is unique with the tactile quality of working with natural materials, the higher moisture content of freshly cut timber ensures that it is easy to work with and methods of working can be adapted to suit the abilities of the individual.

Using timber sourced from local small woodlands and traditional techniques using shave horses and pole lathes the focus is on the process rather than the outcome. We ensure the craft is accessible to everyone, each finished item gives a sense of accomplishment in producing something that is useful, original, and beautiful whilst learning new skills, handling tools, and working safely.

Eco-Carpentry

Incorporates the re-purposing of unwanted items and utilising reclaimed timber and wooden pallets with conventional carpentry and joinery skills making anything from bird, bat, or bug boxes to garden chairs, potting benches, shelving units, and anything in between!

People can design and make their own items to take home whilst learning to use a range of powered hand tools and more specialist equipment under supervision, developing transferable skills, and learning to work safely.

Eco-carpentry is a sustainably led craft that gives a sense of satisfaction in seeing a project through from an idea to the finished product whilst also reducing waste and preventing reusable materials from going into landfill.

Equine Assisted Learning

Comprises a range of practical activities involving horses that are designed and selected to support people in promoting their physical, mental and emotional well-being. Activities may be utilised to meet specific goals and objectives which can be adapted to suit the needs and ability of the individual.

All activities are based on ‘groundwork’ with the ponies and does not involve riding, people taking part do not need to have any previous experience around horses.

Our ponies have all been specifically chosen for their character and temperament and live in settled social groups in an outdoor environment with access to shelter to enable them to express natural behaviour.

Some benefits of Equine Assisted Learning;

Utilises the unique relationship that exists between equines and people built on trust and mutual respect for beneficial effect
The horse as a ‘prey’ animal finds security in the herd and as such will ‘bond’ with people and seek to be led
The horses’ behaviour will ‘mirror’ that of the person working with it and so responds to human body language giving immediate feedback to the individual and helps them to recognise how they present themselves to the world around them
Equine Assisted Learning can be used effectively with people who have no experience of equines and need not involve riding
Multiple opportunities for interaction at many levels, activities can be adapted to meet differing abilities of individuals or groups and towards different objectives or outcomes
The horse is an ‘equal partner’ in the interaction where active participation is achieved through mutual co-operation

Animal Assisted Interventions

Animal Assisted Interventions involve the use of specifically chosen animals in a range of planned activities or interactions with people that are designed to meet individual goals or objectives. These interventions usually form part of an integrated approach to care and support alongside healthcare professionals and progress is monitored and reviewed as part of programme planning.

Potential benefits of Animal Assisted Interventions include;

Combats loneliness and encourages social integration
Promotes a sense of responsibility and empathy with others
Encourages nurturing traits
Promotes self-esteem, independence, and self-confidence
Reduces stress levels
Can act as a catalyst for change and help people through transitional life stages
Can assist people in developing positive ‘coping strategies’ to face challenges and support personal growth

Animal Assisted Activities

Animal Assisted Activities are less specific and can include activities such as general animal care and husbandry. The activities are less goal focussed and may be carried out with different people within a group such as ‘meet and greet’ animal handling sessions.

Being around animals and caring for them can be hugely beneficial both physically and mentally;

Holding and stroking animals can reduce blood pressure and alleviate feelings of tension and anxiety
Animals are non-judgemental and give unconditional love offering ‘safe touch’ and connection to another sentient being
An excellent aid to communication especially useful when working with people that are pre-verbal or non-verbal
Can be used to encourage mobility and improve coordination

Our Animal Activities Licence and can be found here.

Animal Care

Animal Care provides opportunities for people to be involved in the daily care and husbandry of the animals at the farm. Tasks can include;

Feeding and watering
Cleaning and maintaining accommodation and animal enclosures
Grooming and coat care
Provide opportunities for exercise
Routine health care
Environmental enrichment to support natural behaviour

Animal Health and Welfare

All of the animals at Hereford Community Farm have been specifically chosen for their suitability for use in activities and are always handled under the supervision of animal care staff and in line with Risk Assessment protocols.

To ensure that animals are not overhandled and to minimise stress we monitor the frequency and type of activities that they are involved in and give them ‘rest periods’ from use. In planning activities, we carefully match the animals to the specific task or session requirements to ensure optimum outcomes for animals and people.

The animals at Hereford Community Farm are a valued part of the team and remain with us for their natural lifespan.

A copy of our Animal Management Policy can be found here.

Hereford Community Farm has been inspected by the local authority and meets the criteria for licensing in the provision of Animal Activities:

Licence holder Miss Julie Milsom Licence no: N-Perf19

We work according to the Code of Practice set out by the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS)

https://www.scas.org.uk/animal-assisted-interventions//code-of-practice

We meet the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in the provision of The 5 Freedoms to meet animal welfare needs defined as;

The provision of a suitable environment
The provision of a suitable diet
The ability to be able to exhibit normal patterns of behaviour
The need to be housed with, or apart from other animals as appropriate
To be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease

Arts & Crafts

We provide a broad range of participatory art & craft activities on a daily basis. The ability to express oneself without expectation or limitation can have a positive effect on personal health and well-being. People are given the freedom to choose which artistic pursuits they would like to follow using a variety of media and techniques in both indoor and outdoor settings. Collaborative projects offer the potential for group working with a focus on taking part facilitating input from all abilities to achieve the end result.

We have participated in community arts projects and initiatives including Ledbury Poetry Festival and The Courtyard’s Creative Ageing Programme with an exhibition celebrating local artist Brian Hatton in 2016. In 2023, The Courtyard Centre for the Arts hosted an exhibition which told the story of Hereford Community Farm through mixed media, installations, and photographs. It featured the voices and images of the people that have been a part of its development and make it such a special place.

On occasion we also have workshops and participatory arts activities with visiting artists;

https://www.verityhowardceramics.com

https://www.jeanettemccullochart.com

Cookery, Healthy Eating & Life Skills

Where possible we utilise our own organically grown produce from the gardens in cookery sessions – this gives the sense of satisfaction of having seen the process through from sowing the seeds, tending the plants, and picking the produce before turning it into delicious food as part of a healthy eating programme. People can suggest recipes or get ideas from cookery books when planning for cookery sessions and are involved in every aspect learning introductory food preparation skills and safety in the kitchen.

We encourage people to experiment with flavours – sharing and adapting recipes using produce in season and we stick to a vegetarian menu and include options for specific dietary needs – people can choose to take home to share what they have made.

Weather permitting we also utilise our Outdoor Kitchen equipped with a wood burner ‘micro range cooker’ and a wood fired Pizza Oven – very popular with visiting groups and during the summer months.