Projects for Adults
We are proud to offer a range of adult projects and volunteering opportunities for those with concerns about their mental health or for adults with additional learning needs on our 37-acre Farm. For more information please read on.
We offer the following projects:
For adults wanting to improve mental health Roots to Work For adults with learning difficultiesFor Adults wanting to improve mental health
Volunteering
- Mondays & Wednesdays 10am -3pm
- Free
- For adults with mental health concerns
Choose from a range of opportunities:
Animal Care
Participants help care for a range of farm and domestic animals, feeding, mucking out and carrying out health checks. Tasks are provided for a range of different physical mobilities to suit a variety of needs from turning the manure bays and rounding up sheep to grooming the ponies and cuddling the goats. Volunteers form meaningful bonds with the animals which reduces loneliness and increases connection and belonging. The activities are purposeful, and people can develop a deep sense of responsibility and meaning in taking care of other living creatures.
Horticulture
The farm has extensive gardens, that include 2 polytunnels, 2 orchards, ornamental flowers beds and lots of raised vegetable beds to grow produce for the café. Beautiful bouquets of seasonal flowers are also made to sell in the farm shop. Activities to suit all levels from seated seed sowing and potting on to heavy duty weeding and turning composts. Contact with the soil and plants reduces severe anxiety, depression, and stress related conditions. It can also have a hugely beneficial and grounding impact on those experiencing psychosis. Connection and improved access to fresh food helps improve diet and physical health.
Cooking for Health
Participants cook a lunch using healthy and farm grown ingredients for the whole group to share. This activity is great for those looking to learn how to cook, have limited mobility or are just looking to use their cooking skills in a social context. Many report this as the only healthy meal of the week, positive friendships and social interactions are regularly formed over cooking a shared meal. As a result of cooking sessions, participants have progressed to help in the farm café and enrolled on our Roots to Work Programme.
How to apply
Please download the application form below. Complete the form and send it to info@bathcityfarm.org.uk. Please be aware due to staffing we can only offer a limited number of volunteering spaces, therefore some volunteering groups have a waiting list.
Apply Now >CRAFTworks
- 2 groups
- Monday mornings 10 am to noon
- Monday afternoons 1 pm to 3.30pm
- Free for women experiencing mental health challenges
- For women aged 18+
Would you like to join our fun, friendly and supportive group of crafters
Crafting is great for health and wellbeing
All skill levels welcome. Together we make beautiful crafts from natural materials sourced on the farm. Our finished items are then sold in the cafe shop. Come and discover new crafting techniques and learn to package and market crafts too.
If you are interested in joining, please email: zosia@bathcityfarm.org.uk
If you are interested in joining, please complete the Volunteer Application form below.
Natural Pathways
- Thursdays 10am– 2.30pm
- Free
- Local people aged 18+ living with low mood, depression or stress
A friendly wildlife conservation group with a focus to improve people’s mental wellbeing.
Natural Pathways is a warm and friendly nature connection group supporting the wellbeing of people living with mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress, isolation or other. Sessions include spending time in nature and exploring the 37 acre site, we complete conservation activities such as pond building and tree planting to support the ecology on site. We also enjoy nature based mindfulness activities and make art inspired by nature and the seasons in the afternoon. Lunch is provided.
If you are interested in joining, please complete the volunteer referral form below.
‘I began a café work placement in January 2023, this is the best thing I have done this year. It has opened up so many other opportunities for me outside of the farm both socially and personally. I now have a job and the confidence to apply for more.’
Cafe Trainee
Roots to Work
- Once a week for up to 6 months
- 10am -3pm
- Lunch provided
- Free to access
- For all adults over 18 years of age, long term unemployed, (6 months or over) have a mental health concern or a learning disability
Roots to Work is a work placement opportunity that aims to develop peoples’ skills and confidence in Catering, Hospitality, Retail, Grounds Maintenance, Wildlife Conservation or Horticulture.
Trainees work alongside staff once a week for up to 6 months in either the café, community kitchen, farm gardens or grounds.
From the start we create personal development plans to map the Trainee’s development, identify goals which are updated throughout during one-to-ones.
During the placements Trainees gain real on-the-job experience, learn new skills and earn AQA Awards to prove their abilities.
Alongside that we provide personalised advice and support to access additional training, help writing and updating CVs. Provide signposting to support services, help to apply for volunteering opportunities and help to search and apply for employment.
Work placement areas
Hospitality in the Cafe
Tuesdays – Fridays: Providing opportunities to develop skills in food safety and hygiene, front-of-house, kitchen portering, till use, barista training, cooking, cleaning and food preparation
Retail in the Shop
Tuesdays – Fridays: Providing opportunities to develop skills in stock management and presentation, front of house skills, till use and customer relation skills
Grounds Maintenace
Wednesdays: Providing opportunities to develop skills including fence building, basic carpentry, strimming, mowing, bricklaying, pathway maintenance and landscaping
Catering in the Community Kitchen
Thursdays: Providing opportunities to develop skills in food production for sale, learning about pricing, kitchen safety and food hygiene
Horticulture
Thursdays: Providing opportunities to develop skills including plant propagation, harvesting, gardening for wildlife, composting, plant identification, weeding and pruning
Wildlife Conservation
Fridays: Providing opportunities to develop skills including wildlife habitat creation, ecological surveying, plant ID skills, meadow management, soil health and pond and hedgerow management
How to apply
If you are interested, please get in touch with Amy on 01225 481269 to arrange a visit to discuss options. To apply please download and complete the application form below and return to Amy at amy@bathcityfarm.org.uk who will be in touch shortly after.
Everybody at the farm is really nice and has always made me feel welcome. It is a very good place to cheer your mood up, it is a happy place.
Group Participant
For Adults With Learning Disabilities
EARTHworks
- Tuesdays 10am – 3pm
- £45 for full day
- People aged 18+ with learning difficulties
A horticultural therapy project tailored to meet the needs of adults living with learning difficulties.
Take full advantage of the open green space at the farm and join EARTHworks. The group is led by a skilled member of staff who will support you to develop and learn new skills. From sowing seeds and growing plants, to building raised beds and caring for the animals.
If you are interested in joining, please complete the volunteer referral form below.