The Sunflower Community Care Farm
A place where everyone can shine
07850 953351
Community Award Winner 2023
Our care farm has a natural sense of calm, with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, where everyone can benefit from the therapeutic use of farming practices, including working with animals and growing fruit and vegetables.
All activities are carried out in a safe, supervised and structured programme for small groups, with up to 6 places per session (day) and 50 weeks of the year. We provide a ratio of 1:3, but if you feel you may need more support, you are welcome to bring your own carer.
We welcome adults with disabilities and mental health issues.
At the care farm participants gain confidence, independence, resilience and increased self esteem. In addition, everyone gains a sense of purpose and responsibility, they feel worthy and useful.
Activities vary depending on the groups attending and the time of year, but the following are examples of things we do:
- Feed the animals
- Collect eggs
- Walk the goats to eat weeds
- Plant vegetables
- Water plants in greenhouse
- Clear stripped branches from goat field
- Groom the horses and goats
- Dust chickens for mites
- Clip goats’ hooves
- Sweep tack room
- Mow grass
- Weed beds
- Clean tack
- Walk the dogs, goats and/or ponies
- Harvest vegetables
- Clean out the animals
Whilst there are plenty of activities to keep us busy all day long, taking time out to sit and pet an animal or listen to our chickens cooing happily, is also an important part of our day.
We are a member of Social Farms & Gardens (incorporating Care Farms UK) and follow their Code of Conduct. We are accredited by Suffolk County Council, as a service provider for adults, and CEVAS (Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme - Therapeutic).
We have horses, ponies, rabbits, chickens, goats, dogs, cats and fish and other wildlife in our pond and around the farm. The relationship between humans and horses is a powerfully restorative one.
All staff and volunteers are DBS checked and have completed Safeguarding training.
To apply for a place, please go to our Referrals page to download an application form.
Sessions run from 10 am until 3 pm for 52 weeks of the year.
The farm has demonstrable standards covering areas such as:
- Relevant training of staff to work with the expected type of clients
- Health and safety signage suitable for the intended client group
- A Vulnerable Persons Protection Policy, acknowledged by any staff expected to work with clients
- Feedback and evaluation procedures in place
- A safety policy statement including designated names and all relevant emergency contacts
- An Emergency Aid Appointed Person on site
- A generic risk assessment available for the site plus one including the specific activities that we cover with the intended client group and their abilities in mind
- Maintained health and safety records
- Disciplinary procedure and dismissal procedure for the clients
- A written complaints procedure
- First aid and emergency procedures are in place, including accident and injury records/book
Appropriate and adequate insurances are in place.
