In the Beginnings
The Care Farm was founded in 2010 after my daughter, who has special needs and grew up on a farm, faced significant challenges in finding meaningful farm-based training opportunities in Gloucestershire. This personal journey highlighted a wider gap for adults needing practical skills, guidance, and purpose in their lives.
Determined to address this need, I established a space where students could gain hands-on experience working with animals and growing their own food. Starting with just five students attending two days a week, we operated from half an acre on my parents’ farm. Using recycled materials, we built much of our infrastructure, including two second-hand porta cabins and a repurposed polytunnel. Early funding from a local trust allowed us to provide electricity and later secure charitable status in 2013.
Our first animals were Oxford Sandy & Black pigs raised in a small woodland area, along with bantams, ducks, and Wiltshire Horn sheep, chosen for their low-maintenance nature. These animals became a cornerstone of our students’ learning experiences.
Time to Expand
As student numbers grew, it became clear we needed a larger site. After several years of planning and fundraising, we moved to our purpose-built location in 2019. The new site offers stunning views, modern facilities including a cooking studio, activity rooms, alongside a livestock barn where we do a lot of woodwork and maintenance.
Although the pandemic in 2020 brought challenges, our spacious outdoor setting allowed us to reopen safely, and our student numbers continued to grow. By 2020, we raised £80,000 to fund the first phase of a landscaping project, adding new features such as wheelchair-accessible tracks, a large wildlife pond and an orchard for our poultry.
Today, we welcome 40 students each week, supported by 20 volunteers and a dedicated staff team. Looking ahead, plans are underway to further enhance the site with a sensory garden, raised growing beds, and additional seating areas, creating more opportunities for learning and community engagement.
The Care Farm is a testament to the power of resilience, hard work, and a shared commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.
Emma Costley-White
CEO & Founder
Donate Online to Make a Difference
We deeply appreciate the generous donations that enable us to provide the exceptional experiences our students deserve. Your support makes a meaningful difference. If you’d like to contribute to Scrubditch Care Farm, you can now donate securely online below via PayPal. Thank you!