School Visits

The farm is a truly unique venue for school, youth group and charity visits.

We are centrally located near junction 16 of the M1, so it is the perfect destination if you are based in a city wishing to bring a group into nature.

We work in a holistic and multi-disciplinary way with our alpacas to facilitate animal experiences and encounters for enjoyment, education, wellbeing and healing.

We have hosted SEN and SEHM groups of children here on the farm. We work together with the school, charity or youth group to come up with a schedule of activities that suits the needs and interests of the group.

Through the use of Animal Assisted Activities, Animal Assisted Interventions, time spent in nature and land based activities, we hope to offer a unique and engaging hands-on educational experience.

Sessions can include:

In paddock alpaca encounters
Alpaca walking
Alpaca mindfulness sessions
Handling pen meet and greet sessions with the alpacas
Learning about alpaca care, husbandry and alpaca behaviour
Sharing information about their Andean heritage, history and uses
Fibre crafts including needle felting
Crafting with natural clay from our stream
Sensory explorations with the alpaca fleece and natural clay
Active play, nature connection and exploration in our ancient woodland and stream
Seasonally adapted land based activities such as working in the allotment and planting seeds
Marshmallows around the campfire (if permission is given)
Plenty of time for Q&A from the children

The sessions can be structured or more flexible, permissive and autonomous depending on the requirements of your particular group.

Sessions last for 3 hours between a window of 10am-2pm.

We are understanding of the needs of SEND children and our environment and offerings are inclusive and welcoming of a diverse range of sensory and emotional needs. Unfortunately we are not yet fully accessible though we're working on that!

Your children are welcome as they are.

Why Visit our Farm?

Here are just some of the reasons your students may benefit from time spent on our farm, with our alpacas and in our ancient woodland.

Time spent outdoors in the fresh air with natural sensory input.
Engaging and unique activities such as alpaca walking (age 10+), up close in paddock alpaca encounters, fibre crafts, land based activities and active play in the ancient woodland and stream.
First-hand experience of farming and alpaca care.
Emotional regulation - experiencing the therapeutic and calming effects of alpacas and nature more generally.
Skills acquisition - learning about alpaca husbandry, care, behaviour, our gentle and respectful handling style and more.
Physical activity - tree climbing, stream paddling, mud kitchen and more in our ancient woodland.
Curriculum links - links to science (alpaca care, habitats, diet), history (their rich heritage), textiles (fibre crafts - felting, spinning, knitting), geography (environment, conservation and sustainability) and life skills (patience, following instructions, team work etc.) in a hands on setting.

Why Alpacas?

We know that animals offer many opportunities for learning, can be incredibly beneficial to our health and wellbeing and are supportive and soothing in a therapeutic setting but why specifically alpacas?

Alpacas are highly attuned to their environments, timid, shy and intolerant of indiscriminate touch. Unlike a dog running towards us, alpacas will often retreat if we try to reach out in an unexpected way. Alpacas therefore invite us to be calm, gentle and considered. We must be fully present to both our and their body language and behaviour if we are to experience a positive and meaningful encounter.
We must work hard on our own sense of regulation if we are to find ourselves in their proximity and this makes any up-close encounters we may have incredibly meaningful and rewarding.
Alpacas do not understand or use verbal language which means that in order to relate to them we must remember how to interact with them using our body language and energy.
Alpaca body language is subtle and unique, requiring presence, concentration and focus to learn and understand.
Alpacas are direct and non-judgmental, they offer clear boundaries, honest communications and a safe and accepting presence which can be incredibly beneficial.
Alpacas have a rich cultural heritage, holding both a spiritual and meaningful significance in Andean culture as well as a practical everyday function.

Booking and More Information

Book 3 visits with us and receive your first visit for free.

During this process we can share with you more detailed information about the sessions where needed, our facilities, a map of how to find us, as well as a link to share all of our policies with you including our risk assessment, enhanced DBS and safeguarding paperwork.

Facilitators

Our schools visits, Animal Assisted Interventions and Land Based Care Farm activities are run by Amy and Carly. Amy is our safeguarding lead, Carly our deputy, both hold enhanced DBS.

Carly Chandler-Morris

Carly is the farm's Herd Manager and Animal Assisted Interventions facilitator as well as being a certified yoga and meditation facilitator. She has had a lifelong deep connection with animals of all kinds and seeks refuge in their company to support mental and emotional wellbeing. Nothing gives her greater joy than to see others finding peace and refuge amongst the alpacas as she does.

Credentials

Designated Safeguarding Deputy

First Aid at Work

Enhanced DBS

CameliDynamics and Animal Assisted Activity and Animal Assisted Interventions with Victoria Barrett of Simply Alpacas
200-hour Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga & Meditation Teacher
Yoga Nidra and iRest
Well Woman Yoga Therapy
Healing Early Developmental Trauma Through the Body
Restorative Yoga Teacher Training

Amy Saunders

Amy has been working with alpacas for nearly five years now and has been connected to the farm since she was a child - back then, her happy place was with horses and down in the woodland. She has witnessed first hand the benefits of being outside, in nature, with animals, both for her own mental health and the wellbeing of others.

Credentials

LLB (Hons)

CEVAS Therapeutic Care Farming Level 2

Designated Safeguarding Lead

First Aid at Work

Enhanced DBS

Safeguarding Lead Trained

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

Anonymous

The first experience that my child had with the alpacas was transformative. There was peace, there was a relaxation in his body, and honestly that hadn’t happened for a very very long time. The session was exactly what was needed - and I’m very grateful for the way that Carly and Amy opened up space to allow that to happen.