Newlands Bishop Farm joined Solihull charity the Family Care Trust in 2002, and since then the farm has grown and developed significantly offering a wide range of activities for individuals attending the farm to take part in.
Newlands Bishop Farm is a working farm in Solihull, offering a supportive environment for individuals with learning disabilities and mental health conditions to learn skills through work based learning. Through various activities, including gardening, animal care, and catering, participants can enhance their confidence, social skills, and employability. The farm’s initiatives aim to provide a sense of purpose and community for those involved, making a significant impact on their independence and quality of life.
Newlands Bishop Farm, as part of the charitable efforts by Family Care Trust, utilises the proceeds from hosting events and weddings to reinvest in enhancing its services for those in need. This approach not only supports the farm’s primary mission of aiding individuals with learning disabilities and mental health conditions but also ensures the sustainability of their valuable programs.
Facilities at Newlands Bishop Farm
On site, we have a range of facilities that our project workers can use and experience. In the modern barn, there is a woodworking unit where people can make items out of wood and practice their carpentry skills. This building is also where we keep all of our safe, modern machinery. To learn more about our wood work please click here
In 2008, Newlands Bishop Farm was awarded a grant to build a stable block and we’ve since secured a Riding Establishment Permit. This allows project workers attending the farm to get involved with all aspects of horse care including lunging, long lining and grooming.
There are a wide variety of gardens tended to by the horticulture team as well as a mature woodland. There is also a sensory and crafts group now based at the farm which offers a quieter slower paced work space.
In 2011, we opened a new building that contains a training kitchen and working café, called Berry’s Cafe. This has been a fantastic facility that gives project workers the chance to gain commercial catering and retail skills and qualifications. In 2022 work has begun on a new larger canteens so that the farm can continue to grow and develop the opportunities it can offer those attending.
Work-based learning for people with learning disabilities in Solihull
Our project workers come from all across Solihull and the Midlands to take part in the work-based learning opportunities at Newlands Bishop Farm.
We offer project workers the chance to gain qualifications in ICT, numeracy and literacy with our qualified staff. We also have a wide range of safety courses which run throughout the year for project workers which cover topics such as manual handling, food safety and fire safety.
In 2014, we joined up with Solihull College to offer City and Guilds skills for working life in either horticulture or animal care at Newlands Bishop Farm. It’s been a huge success and the project workers are now able to work towards a certificate in the practical skills they carry out at the farm on a regular basis.
Attending the farm
If your interested in coming to look at the farm to see what we are about and offer please get in touch with us where we can book you a show around and answer any questions you may have. Click here for our contact information
Business and community partnerships in Solihull
Newlands Bishop Farm has many partnerships with local organisations who often visit us to help with our farm work as part of corporate days. These days are a wonderful way for organisations to build their team skills, give back to a local charity and help us get lots of tasks done around the farm. If you would like to enquire about our corporate days please click here.
At weekends, the farm is open to the public and is becoming a popular Solihull wedding venue for couples looking to have an outdoor marquee or tipi wedding. All proceeds from events and weddings go directly back into the charity the farm belongs to the Family Care Trust.
This reinvestment strategy aims to continuously improve and develop the range of services offered by the charity. As a result the Family Care Trust is able to enhance support for individuals with learning disabilities, mental health conditions throughout Solihull.
For more information about weddings please click here .