This is Oak Tree Farm Rural Project
Oak Tree Farm provides training and supported occupation for adults with learning disabilities, in a rural environment.
The Project provides opportunity, support and encouragement for people, our Team Members, to learn new skills and to improve their existing ones, paving the way into sheltered employment for some people for whom this is appropriate, whilst giving purposeful occupation to others.
Oak Tree Farm is situated on a 15 acre smallholding near the village of Hilderstone and is part of the Harrowby Estate of Sandon.
Primarily a horticultural unit growing plants, cut flowers and vegetables, the farm also has beef cattle, poultry and small animals. There are craft and work rooms along with associated farm buildings, greenhouses and polytunnels. There is a fully equipped, purpose built pottery, workshop and computer room.Some Team Members work off site with Acorn Garden Services
In 2011 the farm celebrated 25 years and proudly opened our new Oak Leaf Tea Room, offering catering and retail experience to some Team Members.
People attend the Farm on a part time basis, usually one or two days each week, to fit in with their other commitments; college courses, day service attendance, etc.
Help is given to improve and build on social and life skills as well as literacy and numeracy. Everyone is involved with the day to day activities of the farm and takes part in various craft and art work including hands-on experience in the pottery.
Regular individual reviews are carried out to agree personal targets and assess progress.
Oak Tree Farm was initially set up by a group of parents and others interested in providing another option for school leavers with a learning disability and is now a registered charity and a Company limited by Guarantee
The Project is a Registered Charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee, run by an elected group of Trustees/Directors who meet monthly.
The Trustees make policy decisions, co-ordinate forward planning and fund raising, and report to the membership at an AGM.
The charity employs a Farm Manager, who takes responsibility for the daily running of the Project, Rural Project Assistants, a Pottery Instructor, a Tea Room manager and cook, administrative staff and others. Many volunteers also give generously of their time to support the project.
Oak Tree Farm is a service provider for Staffordshire Social Services and most individuals access the service via Direct Payments.
Other sources of income include charitable donations, fund raising, the sale of pottery, goods and plants and the Tea Room. Regular events are held to raise public awareness of the project and to encourage support.
Our shop sells a wide range of items produced on the Farm, including terracotta and stoneware garden pots and other pottery, seasonal plants, flowers and produce, craft and wooden garden items. It is open Monday to Friday, 10.00 - 4.00, Saturday 10.00 - 2.00.
The Tea Room is open Mon-Sat 10.00 - 3.00(last orders for lunch 2.30) and can also be booked for group events.