Cheshire farm offers 'life-changing' experience to young people

Let’s Farm is an innovative business that has changed the lives of adults with learning disabilities.

Young people from across Cheshire, including Knutsford, Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich, work as farm rangers on a family farm set in 100 acres of countryside in Winsford.

Farmer Rosie Lee teamed up with Nicola Colenso, who has 30 years of experience working with adults with learning difficulties, to develop this unique project.

Nicola Conenso and farmer Rosie Lee

Just four months after it has been launched, families say they are amazed at the difference it has made to the young people’s confidence, mental wellbeing and independence.

From bottle feeding newborn lambs and tending horses, the rangers now carry out everyday jobs on the farm with great pride.

Daryl Dawson with a baby emu chick

Rosie said: “For parents to tell us it is life-changing means everything to us.

“Their disability is invisible to us. There is nothing they are not able to do. They are capable of using all the farm equipment.

“We are not cosseting them, they just crack on with the job.

“It is very emotional and rewarding to see them achieve so much.

Paul Miller nurtures a baby piglet

“One lad even delivered a lamb. There is so much they can do.”

The farm is home to 100 pedigree Shropshire sheep, 80 lamps, six Ruby Red Devon cattle, three Hereford cattle and Dotty, a rare breed mid white sow and three piglets.

Other residents include horses, Vera, Faith and Jazz, pedigree lion haired rabbits and baby emu chicks.

Nicola said: “It is a proper work environment.

Lambs playing in the lambing shed

“It is amazing what our farm rangers have achieved. They are like sponges. They learn so much because they want to be here.

“Giving them responsibility has made a huge difference. They realise that if they don’t feed the animals and look after them, they would not survive.

“They work together as a team, follow instructions and use their initiative.

“They carry out tasks on their own now, without being asked.

Paul with Vera, the sensitive horse

“I want to celebrate how well they have all done.

“I haven’t seen anything they can’t do yet and all these skills will help them when they apply for jobs.”

The rangers are also developing conservation and environmental skills as the farm has a lake, ancient woodland, wetlands, orchards and fields dedicated to wildlife and wildflowers.

For more details email nicola@letsfarm.org.uk