August newsletter
Dear Supporter,
Welcome to our newsletter which reflects on a busy and productive summer at Jamie's Farm.
This newsletter also sadly follows the riots and looting which took place across the country in recent weeks. We at Jamie's Farm are dismayed by the riots and have sought to address the question of why they happened and what we, as a country, can do to prevent them being repeated. To read a statement from Jamie's Farm in response to the riots, click here. We are more confident than ever that the Jamie's Farm approach is well placed to ensure vulnerable children's engagement in education and the prevention of their exclusion. Importantly, our work at Jamie's Farm supports our children in becoming caring, active and fulfilled citizens.
Read on for more information about:
- Recent visits
- Recruitment opportunities
- Jamie's Farm in The Guardian
- Fundraising news
- Harvest Open Day
Click here for the latest pictures and a recent video.
During the summer we have worked with over 150 children from Bristol, Bath, London and the West Midlands. These visits have included:
- Bexley Academy, who work with Jamie's Farm throughout the school year with students returning as mentors
- respite visits for children who are in foster care
- the mentoring programme Aspire at Toynbee Hall, which works with young people from Tower Hamlets
- a visit of 60 children from King Solomon Academy, London, for a full day of follow up 18 months after their original visit.
Head teacher of King Solomon Academy, Max Haimendorf, commented:
Jamie’s Farm is unique. Months afterwards, pupils still talk about their time at the farm with a clarity and fondness that show that their visit really has been one of the best experiences of their childhood. The teamwork and kindness that the pupils developed towards each other over the course of the visit was transformational. Jamie’s staff are superb. Skilled in working with any child, they role model professionalism, dedication and enthusiasm in all they do. Taking students to Jamie’s Farm gives them memories every child will cherish for the rest of their lives.
Jamie's Farm is now recruiting! - Jamie's Farm is recruiting for two exciting key roles in the charity; a Visit Coordinator and a Charity Administrator. Please click on the links for details of the job descriptions. Deadlines for both opportunities are 31st October 2011.
Media
On Tuesday 2nd August The Guardian published an article about the work of Jamie's Farm in relation to the Care Farming initiative in the UK. Bibi van der Zee writes under the headline Care farms help people recover their better nature. To read the article in full please click here.
Fundraising
We are pleased to announce confirmation of funding for Jamie’s Farm from Children in Need. This is a great endorsement of the work we do and we were pleased to make it through the rigorous selection process. Funding will last three years and will support the salary of the Lead Psychotherapist who works directly with children.
Cock and Bull Festival - The inaugural Cock and Bull Festival was held at the end of July and hosted 500 people for a weekend on the farm. The music, food and the unique Jamie's Farm atmosphere worked together to create a wonderful weekend and raised Jamie's Farm over £20,000. Highlights included the farmers Olympics, butchery demonstration, fancy dress parade and the beats of the Badger Badger samba band. Click here for some photgraphs. None of this would have been possible without our team of over 100 volunteers who worked with energy and enthusiasm before, during and after the weekend. Particular thanks are due to Henry Trew who had the vision and organisation to make it happen and the Carnie family for making us all so welcome on their farm.
Bath Half Marathon - We are now recruiting for teams and individuals to run for Jamie's Farm in the Bath Half Marathon in March 2012. We have raised over £25,000 in the last two years through this race and it has become a key date in our calendar. If you are up for a challenge and are keen to run, or think you might be able to muster a family or work team, contact Jane on jane@jamiesfarm.org.uk or 08712377991. Runners are invited to training runs, receive fabulous farm running shirts and are invited to our pre-race Pasta Party at Jamie’s Farm on the evening before the race.
Harvest Open Afternoon, Saturday 8th October 2 - 6pm Jamie's Farm opens its gates once again for an autumn treat. A chance to tour the farm, meet some of the children who visit and sample some delicious home cooked seasonal fare served in our new barn. For more information contact Jane on jane@jamiesfarm.org.uk or 0871 237 7991.
