Whirlow Hall Farm Trust is an educational trust based in Sheffield. Our mission is to help youngsters make the most of their potential, regardless of their circumstances and challenges, in a learning environment that is based on a working farm.
We run a range of education programmes on our farm. Our principal focus is ‘Alternative Provision’, a different approach to education for youngsters that struggle in mainstream classrooms. We run nurture programmes for primary and secondary children – some as young as 5 years old - who are excluded or at risk of exclusion from school. Often dismissed as disruptive or a nuisance, we help them develop the emotional and social skills to cope with the pressures they face. Our goal is always to help them get back to school so they can enjoy their childhoods like other children. Older children have the opportunity to complete qualifications, opening doors to apprenticeships or college placements. Our programmes can be life-changing.
But for some, the challenges continue after school age. So we run activities for young adults who struggle with autism and other challenges, to help them develop life skills, make friends and reduce their risk of isolation.
The children and young people we support are among the most disadvantaged in our region, facing a complex combination of difficulties which can include mental health conditions, severe poverty, developmental difficulties such as autism, anxiety, additional learning needs like ADHD, and heart-breaking personal circumstances including abuse and bereavement. In many instances they are experiencing traumatic events commonly described as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). These include physical, sexual and emotional abuse, physical and emotional neglect, domestic violence, parent abandonment through separation or divorce, a parent with a mental health condition, a member of the household being in prison or growing up in a household in which there are adults experiencing alcohol and drug use problems. All our learners experience high anxiety levels that can produce fight or flight responses if not managed sensitively. Many also have special educational needs and disabilities which compound their anxieties further.
The lockdown restrictions imposed in order to combat COVID-19 brought the importance of this provision into sharp relief. The Farm offered the students a familiar routine in a time of change and uncertainty, and given much-needed respite to their families.
Our priority is to reduce anxiety. By doing so we:
● Help the children and young people understand why they are feeling anxious.
● Support them to build a strategy to help them manage their anxiety better outside of Whirlow.
● See improved behaviour in class which has a knock on effect of improved behaviour out of class. This leads to improved self-esteem.
● Are teaching emotional intelligence. They often don’t understand their own emotions. We help them understand what emotions are.
Through our work we see 85% of children and young people report an improvement in self esteem and a reduction in anxieties within 12 weeks at Whirlow. For those who stay longer, at 6 months this raise to 95%.