Young Farmers
Our ‘Young Farmers’ youth clubs offer an excellent opportunity for children aged 8-13 to explore in an interactive hands-on way animal care, food growing, environmental conservation, healthy cooking and rural crafts.
Sessions are child-led, creating a space for young people to develop their problem solving skills, social development and communication skills. Children are encouraged to immerse themselves in outdoor experiences: in growing their own food and learning to cook with it, learning bushcraft and survival skills, understanding how to care for Farm animals and protecting the local environment and wildlife.
Young Farmers are encouraged to share their ideas, listen to others and respond to problems in a collaborative and imaginative way.
Children’s newly acquired skills and knowledge are rewarded with AQA Unit Award certificates which they can take to schools and colleges to demonstrate their achievements. At Surrey Docks Farm we understand the value of long term connections, as such once Young Farmers reach 14 they are offered the chance to join our ‘Greenagers’ youth club until they turn 18, they can then become a Livestock or Garden Volunteer.
Members of Young Farmers are encouraged to apply to sit on the Farm’s Youth Committee each year. Youth Committee members help inform the future of the services young people receive at the Farm and steer the direction of the organisation.
“I like how we get to do fun things like go on trips, care for the animals, make fires, go to the foreshore and do cooking. We get to do mucking out too which is important for animals. I like how we get to contribute to things like the annual fairs!”
“They people at the Club are kind and helpful, also if I get stuck they encourage me to start again and not to get scared around the animals”
“I love all the people and how I can help in the activities/challenges around the animals”
“The thing I most like about the Farm Club is that normal wonderful people from the public are allowed to have an opportunity to be in a farm not like the others and help the plants and animals and be proud to be part of it”
“I like how we all try our best at the Club and that we work hard. We also work as a team and help each other out”
“There are many opportunities to gain awards to help you in college/university”
“We get choices to decide what we do. I like the kindness and understanding”
“I like the people in the Club because we all work well as a team”
Keep up to date with our Young Farmers Club by following our dedicated page on Twitter @SDFyouthclubs
The Farm wants to ensure all young people have the opportunity to become active members of society, improve their lives, prepare for their futures and fulfil their potential.
- live in SE16
- are from a low income family (in receipt of pupil premium)
- identify as a young carer – cares for someone with disability or a health condition
- is from an asylum seeking or refugee family
- from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic group
- has a mild physical or learning disability
- has Special Educational Needs or an EHCP
- is under the care of CAMHS
We prioritise spaces for those who satisfy the most criteria listed above.
If you have been referred through an external charity to the Farm please make us aware of this in the ‘referral’ field, listing the organisation who has referred you.
If you’re not eligible, or are on the waiting list please be aware we also run a range of youth activities open to all children throughout the school holidays, including ‘Farm Club’ sessions for 8 -13 year olds. Please visit our holiday activities page for further details and to book onto these sessions.
Please be aware:
- We check that the information provided on this form is accurate
- If you have filled in this form but your child doesn’t meet the application criteria, you are unlikely to receive a response
Thanks to the National Lottery for providing core funding for our full time Youth Manager, for five years starting from October 2019.
Thanks to Southwark Council’s Positive Future’s for Young People Fund for providing match funding for two years for our Youth Workers starting in April 2022
Thanks to British Land, owners of Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, for their continued financial support for over ten years funding our Young Farmers Club.
