Haylands Farm

Haylands Farm is a centre for learning and work education for people with learning disabilities, and is based at Haylands on the outskirts of Ryde. The centre caters for a range of capabilities and provides 90 half-day placements per week for individuals. Through working in horticulture and agriculture clients are able to develop a range of skills at a rate that matches their capability in an environment that is individually designed to support them.

Haylands Farm has a history of being involved in providing opportunities for other community involvement, including visits to the farm by Island schools, or students gaining work experience at the centre.

Fresh Start - the specific project that Single Regeneration Budget funding was required for - was to fund the egg production and to further the production of goat’s milk. The flock of hens was increased from 800 to 1200 and the number of goats doubled from 3 to 6.

Clients are now trained in the management and care of poultry and goats, creating milk and eggs for sale to the public, both on and off the premises. They gain skills including health and safety, food hygiene as well as gaining valuable social skills.

Over the three years that the funding was organised for, two full-time and one part-time member of staff are being employed along with a tutor giving four sessions each lasting two hours each week, working with 20 clients and 10 volunteers.

SRB VI funding was required to expand the project by 50%, making it both viable and sustainable. In doing this it also provided the chance to increase the level of training, work experience and job opportunities.