Green Acres

Overview

Green Acres is dedicated to engaging young people outside the traditional classroom environment, encouraging them to develop the skills, confidence and independence needed to lead a healthy, fulfilling and holistic lifestyle.
 

Over the past few years, Green Acres has developed into a unique centre offering young people a genuine rural experience. Through practical, hands-on activities, we provide opportunities to learn, develop life skills and build positive relationships within a supportive community setting.
 

Education

Young people are at the heart of everything we do at Green Acres. We particularly support students who do not attend school full-time and may spend one or two days each week with us.
 

During their time at Green Acres, students take part in a wide range of practical and educational activities designed to complement their learning and develop their confidence, independence and sense of achievement.
 

Our approach is centred on learning through experience, helping young people discover their strengths while developing valuable skills that can support them in education, training, employment and everyday life.
 

Cooking and Gardening

Our cooking and gardening activities are an important part of life at Green Acres. We have a greenhouse, an allotment-style garden and two polytunnels, where we grow a variety of fruit, vegetables and bedding plants.
 

Students are involved throughout the process, from planting and growing to harvesting, preparing and cooking the produce. We also aim to teach them how to market and sell what they have produced.
 

This hands-on approach gives young people the opportunity to develop practical life and work skills, including teamwork, responsibility, planning, communication and problem-solving, while also promoting healthy eating and an understanding of where our food comes from.
 

Café and Farm Shop
 

Friday Café

Our Friday Café offers light lunches, tea and coffee, with everything homemade on site.

Opening hours: 12 noon – 2.00 pm.  Booking is essential.

Please note that the Friday Café does not operate on the Friday immediately before our monthly Saturday Café.
 

Saturday Café

Our Saturday Café is open to everyone and runs on the third Saturday of each month.

Opening hours: 9.15 am – 12 noon.  (Last booking: 11.15 am).

We welcome everyone to come along and enjoy our homemade food, refreshments and friendly rural atmosphere.
 

Farm Shop

Our Farm Shop sells a range of home-grown and home-cooked produce, alongside products created by other rural craft businesses based on site.

Farm Shop opening hours:

• Wednesday – Friday: 9.30 am – 4.00 pm

• Saturday: 9.30 am – 12 noon

The Farm Shop provides another valuable opportunity for our young people to develop practical skills and gain experience of working with customers and the wider community.
 

Working with the Local Community

Everything we do at Green Acres is focused on supporting young people throughout their school years and helping them make a successful transition into their next steps in education, training and employment.
 

An important part of this journey is helping young people understand their role within the wider community and develop the confidence and skills to become valued and active members of it.
 

We have developed strong links with Warwick Court Supported Living, where our young people visit each week. They take tea, cakes and homemade ready meals for the residents, creating opportunities for meaningful interaction between different generations.
 

The benefits of these visits go far beyond the practical activities. Young people have the opportunity to build relationships, communicate with others and experience the satisfaction of contributing to the lives of older members of the community.
 

The same sense of community is reflected in our café, where students have the opportunity to cook, serve customers and work as part of a team. These experiences help them develop confidence, responsibility and an understanding of the value they can bring to their local community.
 

Ultimately, Green Acres is about much more than education. It is about helping young people discover their potential, develop practical skills, build confidence and find their place within the wider community.