Oak Tree Farm RP Facebook Page
We now have a new Facebook Page to bring you news and updates from Oak Tree Farm.
Search Facebook for Oak Tree Farm RP or follow this link www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564575513730 to find our new page.
Please like/follow the page and share it with your friends and family.
We hope you enjoy following the updates from our new page.
Tea Room Closures
Team Members Bike a Thon 2024
From Monday 15th to Friday 19th July 2024 our Team Members, Staff and Volunteers took part in our Bike a Thon. Our theme this year was the Olympics and so the goal was to cycle 425 miles, the distance from Oak Tree Farm to Paris. The Team Members smashed it and completed the 425 miles on Friday afternoon.
The money they raised is to be split between Oak Tree Farm and Special Olympics Stafford.
If you wish to support us our Just Giving page is still open, just search for Oak Tree Farm Rural Project and select Oak Tree Farm Rural Project Team Member’s Bike a Thon 2024, or use this link www.justgiving.com/page/oak-tree-farm-team-members-1718197366941
Thank you to everyone who supported us during the week and to all those who made donations.
Plant Sales 2024
Our summer bedding plants, basket plants, vegetable packs and perennials are now on sale from the plant sales area next to our Oak Leaf Tea Room.
On Saturdays throughout the Summer our polytunnels and greenhouses will also be open to visitors for plant sales.
Our opening hours are Monday to Saturday 10am to 3pm.
David Moreton
Last night at our Annual General Meeting, David Moreton made the following announcement about stepping back from his role as General Manager at Oak Tree Farm Rural Project.
In 1986 a group of parents and teachers of young people with learning disabilities got together with the idea of setting up an alternative to the town based day centres that were available at that time. This idea turned into reality and I agreed to spend a year at the emerging Oak Tree Farm Rural Project whilst the initial facilities were completed. That was 35 years ago and in that time the charity has grown and now has all the elements envisaged by that first group of people, a nursery growing plants, gardens, crafts, a tea room, a pottery and much more.
The time is now right for me to step back from lead role on the farm and retire as General Manager. I am not going away however; I will be here during the transition, be more than willing to share what I have experienced and learned over the years, will continue at the farm in other ways as a volunteer and maybe a Trustee at some point in the future.
My time at the farm has been interesting, satisfying, hard work, fun, challenging, humbling, heart wrenching – most of all a pleasure. I have really enjoyed being with my Team Member, staff and volunteer colleagues, we are a family that will endure. I have been privileged to develop and care for the farm, it’s facilities and land, and pleased to hopefully leave it in good heart for future generations.
I trust that the people that follow me at the charity will lead it with empathy and kindness and nurture the freedom of Team Members to be themselves and thrive as I have tried to do. I would encourage a new generation of parents and others to drive the organisation on behalf of their family and friends with learning disabilities as those people did in 1986.
All the best
David
Chair of Trustees, David Folkes said.
"David’s contribution to Oak Tree Farm has been outstanding. Whilst many people have contributed to its development, David has been at the heart of everything. He has led the charity with great skill, enthusiasm, dedication compassion and kindness. Whilst we would love him to continue forever, we recognise that is not possible and respect his decision to step aside. We are delighted that he will continue to be part of the Oak Tree family. The process of recruiting a successor is underway.”
Fundraising for Oak Tree Farm with with easyfundraising
Did you know that whenever you buy anything online – from your weekly shop to your annual holiday – you could be raising free donations for Oak Tree Farm Rural Project with easyfundraising? There are over 7,000 brands on board ready to make a donation – including eBay, Argos, John Lewis, ASOS, Booking.com and M&S – and it won’t cost you a penny extra to help us raise funds. All you need to do is:
1. Go to www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/oak-tree-farm-rural-project/?utm_campaign=raise-more and join for free.
2. Every time you shop online, go to easyfundraising first to find the site you want and start shopping.
3. After you’ve checked out, the brand will make a donation to Oak Tree Farm Rural Project at no extra cost to you whatsoever! There are no catches or hidden charges and Oak Tree Farm Rural Project will be really grateful for your donations. Thank you for your support.
