Breathing space at the farm

Date of inspection

17 May 2025

Overall score - 2 stars

Report summary

Fun and enjoyment - 2 stars

The Young Inspectors were given the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities at the farm and meet the animals while learning about their care and background. They all enjoyed the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities including making up horse feed, feeding milk to the baby goats and taking part in the welly throwing competition. Two of the young inspectors said that they would definitely go again but one inspector said that he did not like all the poo on the ground and that he felt it should be cleaned up as he found it distracted him as he didn’t want to get it on his trainers. The sessions are tailored to the individuals needs and preferences.

There were lots of activities to choose from which would cater for young people with a variety of interests and including activities to learn about the animals and build up confidence around them at a pace that is tailored to individual needs. Sessions can be accommodated in most weathers as there is a sheltered area to use undercover as well as a cabin which has activities, seating and snacks inside. There is signposting information on the walls for parents and activity booklets for children.

Accessibility - 2 stars

The venue has adequate secure parking onsite. The venue is accessible for a wheelchair and sessions can be adapted to meet individual needs including bringing the animals to a wheelchair if needed. Wheelchair users can access the fields as they are flat but the cabin is not accessible but could be if a ramp was provided.

The start time was good for the Young Inspectors although the timing in the morning meant that one would not be able to attend due to attending another activity at the same time. They suggested that alternating the sessions may be an idea to ensure that the timing could work for everyone.

They felt that it was good value priced at £10 for a 2 hour session. A free drink and snack was provided in the session for the children and parents.

Safety and surrounding - 2 stars

Safety advice was provided at the start of the session around hand washing and the fire meeting point. The Young Inspectors said they was not told about keeping safe around the animals and that this is something that is usually talked about a lot. There was a safety information sheet in the cabin for all visitors and this was shared with parents before the session. The Young Inspectors all said that they felt safe in the session and that the instructions they were given for the session were clear and easy to follow. A parent said that they liked that the gates were shut during the session and that they felt it was a safe place to bring children.

Susan and Matilda provided a warm welcome and were attentive to the Young Inspectors and parents throughout the session. They took time to explain things, answered questions and got to know them and their interests.

The young inspector felt that they staff were very friendly and helpful.

Young inspectors feedback

One of the Young Inspectors said that they would like to have more time and activities in the cabin as they enjoyed spending time in there. He said he had so much fun and cannot wait to go back again.

Feedback from their parent

The parent expressed how relaxed and used to handling the animals were and was appreciative how welcome parents were to the session. She felt confident about bringing her son back to enjoy more of these sessions.

Suggestions for improvement

• To create a picture safety sheet for children and young people that is shared and talked through at the start of the session and involve them in the discussion. A colouring sheet of the key points might work well as it would give them something to look at and do whilst the information is being discussed.
• To suggest that families wear wellies or suitable footwear to the session and advise them that animal poo will be present in the fields during the session so that families are prepared.
• To perhaps do an activity about the poo in the session which explains the benefits of it and why they its left to go back into the ground or maybe a display in the cabin.
• To look at the possibility of applying for further funding to pay for a ramp to make the cabin accessible.

Provider feedback

We’d like to thank to the Young Inspectors for coming along to our session and giving their feedback and suggestions. As a new provider we are very keen to develop what we offer and we will take on board all of the feedback and make some changes. We particularly like the suggestion around discussing and displaying information about poo being used as a value resource with land management. Also the suggestion of a safety information board is a great idea.

With thanks

Susan

Susan Walls