Jamie’s Farm

‘You can’t be aggressive to a sheep’. Visitor, Year 9

Jamie’s Farm engages young people from challenging backgrounds who are at risk of social exclusion. This is achieved through a unique combination of a family atmosphere and strong therapeutic element, set within a farming environment. They provide an intensive experience of living and working in a family-oriented farming community, with a particular focus on success and positive praise. Groups of up to 10 young people stay on the farm for 5 days, where they are supported by a high ratio of trained adults.

Jamie’s Farm provides opportunities for achievement and reflection and helps the young people to transfer their learning about themselves and others, through successful engagement with farm activities, to their own lives in urban areas. Jamie’s Farm is a traditional mixed working farm which is enriched by young people becoming involved in the farming process.

Through the farm visit and dedicated follow up sessions in school, the charity reengages children with education, preventing school exclusion and the subsequent cost to society. Reports show that a year after a visit to Jamie’s Farm:
• over 80% of children have fewer behavioural incidents
• over 60% are no longer at risk of exclusion from school

Feedback from schools and the students themselves has been extremely positive:
‘I cannot stress enough how beneficial this unique opportunity was. I observed quite remarkable transformations in students who otherwise present quite challenging and complex behaviour, social and emotional difficulties. The skills developed have had a lasting impact both in terms of academic progress but also in terms of behaviour improvement.’ Deputy Head Teacher, London Academy

‘From the minute I left your home my life started. I now have a whole new outlook on life and found the whole experience uplifting. I am so proud of myself for everything I did on the trip. I have learnt to share my problems and not let them stress me out.’ Visitor, Year 10

For more information, please visit their website www.jamiesfarm.org.uk
If you are interested in bringing a group to Jamie’s Farm, please contact lucy@jamiesfarm.org.uk
If you are interested in providing support or funding for Jamie’s Farm please contact ruth@jamiesfarm.org.uk