December Newsletter

December Newsletter
Seasons greetings from everyone at Jamie’s Farm! As Christmas is approaching and the new year is almost upon us, it is a time for us to reflect on the year’s work at Jamie’s Farm, to look excitedly to the future, and most importantly to celebrate the successes of the young people we work with.

Read on to find out information about:
- the latest visits to Jamie's Farm
- farm news
- fundraising
- events (save the date for our Valentine's Ball on 13th February!)
- bring a visit

Click here for some fantastic photographs of the last year, which also feature in the spectacular Jamie's Farm calendar.

Visits
It is with great pleasure to say that during our first full year of operation over 200 students have visited us at Jamie’s Farm, taking the total number to over 350. All of them have had the opportunity of living and working with us and in this nurturing environment they have been able to build their self esteem, develop positive relationships with their peers and therefore make lasting changes to their behaviour and attitude on return to school.  In the last year we have worked with nine schools in London, Manchester and Liverpool, as well as several Kids Co. groups from South London.

In recent weeks we have re-visited London Academy, City of London Academy, Burlington Danes Academy and Kids Co.  to meet the staff and students who have visited us; a fantastic opportunity for those students to re-engage with their experiences on the farm, as well as a time for us to monitor their progress with their teachers. These follow up visits are a vital part of our provision and have demonstrated once again that intervention in the form of a visit to Jamie’s Farm can have a huge impact on the attidudes, behaviour and attainment of young people.

The Assisstant Principal of London Academy said.
"I cannot stress enough how beneficial this unique opportunity was. I attended the trip myself for the whole week and observed some quite remarkable transformations in students who otherwise present some quite challenging and complex behaviour, social and emotional difficulties . The skills that were developed have had a lasting impact here at school both in terms of academic progress but also in terms of behaviour improvement."

Farm News
Excitingly, the latest news regarding our new home, Hill House Farm, is that we have exchanged contracts. We are therefore eagerly awaiting for mid February when we hope to complete and will be welcoming the first students there in April. This incredible new site will enable us to more effectively meet the needs of the young people that we work with, and we are hoping to reach 300 young people in the next year.

Fundraising
We are now fundraising to re-furbish the house and buildings (including ensuring that this Grade 2* listed building meets all fire safety standards).  It is going to cost £200,000 so we are working hard to make sure that we have secured these funds before February when the work will begin.

We are also running a campaign to help more young people to access the Jamie’s Farm experience. By making a regular donation in the form of a standing order, you will be able to continue to support some of the most vulnerable young people in the country. Over a year, a monthly donation of £20 will subsidise the cost of a young person’s visit to the farm for a week. Anyone setting up a standing order will receive a stylish Jamie’s Farm calendar. If you would like to set up a standing order, please see our justgiving page where you can set up a regular donation online, or email Jane Brinson who can post you a standing order form – jane@jamiesfarm.org.uk

Alternatively, you can buy one of our spectacularly designed calendars, enabling you to organise your busy lives and support vulnerable young people across the country at the same time! To buy a calendar for £10, email your postal address to Jane at jane@jamiesfarm.org.uk and pay either through justgiving http://www.justgiving.com/jamiesfarm/Donate or send a cheque addressed to Jamie's Farm to Sheephouse Farm Barm, Warleigh, Bath, BA1 8EE.
 
If you have any bright ideas that may help us to raise funds, or if you would like to run an event on behalf of Jamie’s Farm, please contact Ruth Carney who would love to discuss this further ruth@jamiesfarm.org.uk

Events
We would like to invite you to our fabulous Valentine’s Party which promises to be a fantastic evening, with all funds raised going to Jamie’s Farm and the Burlington Danes Academy sports court appeal. On 13th February 2010 we will be partying in style with live music, a delicious Jamie’s Farm hog roast in a wonderful venue – the Thames Rowing Club. We will be selling tickets in the new year – for more information email Jane on jane@jamiesfarm.org.uk

Bring a Group
If you are interested in bringing a group of students and would like to be one of the first visitors to the new farm, please contact Jane Brinson, our visit manager, who can give you all the information and support you might need.

Wishing you a very merry Christmas from everyone at Jamie’s Farm!