Skills & Wellbeing

We run friendly, supportive group sessions for anyone who wants to learn new skills, meet people, and spend some time outdoors. You’ll take part in one of our hands-on activity groups—Cooking, Gardening, Animal Care, or Landscaping — all of which are an important part of keeping our farm and green spaces thriving.

These 12-session placements are completely free and open to people who might be facing challenges like mental or physical health difficulties, feeling lonely, unemployment, or struggling in their day-to-day lives. There are no strict criteria – if you feel you’d benefit from coming along, you’re very welcome to join us.

It’s a great way to build confidence, work alongside others, and trying new things. No experience needed—just a willingness to get involved.

Take a look at the groups we offer below, and if it sounds like something you’d like to be part of, just fill out our Interest Form.

Thinking about joining us?

Our group sessions do involve some independent work, so they’re best suited to people who are comfortable attending on their own. If you would like to attend with a support worker, we would be happy to have a chat about this.
We also offer gardening and animal care groups specially designed for neurodiverse adults who have additional support needs. These are part of our Supported Farming & Green Care project—feel free to have a look and see what’s available.
If you would like to have a chat about the programme before registering, please contact volunteers@swcityfarm.co.uk or call 0117 9428241.

Our Current Groups

Cooking

When: Mondays 11am – 2pm
Group Size: up to 6 participants
Cost: Free

A gentle cooking where we meet once a week to work together and create a delicious healthy meal which we share with each other at the end of each session. When possible, we will also use produce grown in our own garden.

Our cooking sessions usually take place in the farm’s training kitchen. Depending on the season and what we’re preparing, we might also cook outdoors in our green kitchen, at the nearby nature reserve, or in the bee garden – all just a short walk from the main site.

The sessions are relaxed and creative, ideal for anyone who enjoys working with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Led by Harriet, the sessions explore creative, mostly vegetarian recipes made with seasonal ingredients. When possible, we use produce grown on the farm and cook over a fire, use our cob or pizza oven, and even chop wood when needed – especially in the colder months.

There’s also the chance to get involved in growing ingredients like salad leaves and herbs in the raised beds next to the kitchen. If you’re helping out in the garden, we recommend wearing clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. For cooking, no special kit is needed – just something comfortable that you don’t mind getting a bit messy. As the cooking activities are mostly seated or take place indoors, the sessions are especially suitable for people who are less mobile.

Gardening

When: Tuesdays 11am – 3pm
Group Size: up to 6-7 participants
Cost: Free

Our supportive gardening sessions take place at our community allotment right next to our main site. You’ll have the chance to get involved in growing delicious fruit, vegetables and herbs, try out some light DIY around the site, and enjoy seasonal craft activities.

Join us for our Gardening sessions, where you can get your hands dirty and learn all about growing vegetables, fruit, and herbs. Led by Belle, these sessions take place at our allotment site, just next door to the main farm.
Whether you’re a keen gardener or just curious to give it a go, these sessions are open to everyone. If you enjoy the idea of growing your own food and learning more about gardening, these sessions offer the perfect opportunity to get involved. Activities change with the seasons, so there’s always something different happening — from getting the soil ready and planting to weeding and harvesting.
There’s also plenty of space to get creative. You might make garden signs or plant supports, or have a go at making herbal teas, balms, or essential oils using what’s grown on site.
The tasks range from more hands-on jobs to gentler bits and pieces, so you can get involved in a way that suits you. It’s a great chance to spend time outdoors, pick up some new skills, and help look after the farm’s green spaces.

Animal Care

When: Wednesday 11am – 3pm
Group Size: 6-8 participants
Cost: Free

Get stuck in with caring for our animals – from milking the goat to mucking out and keeping them well fed. You’ll also help with wider farm tasks like mowing, making signs, and building planters to improve the space.

Our Animal Care sessions take place Wednesdays across our main farm site and offer a hands-on introduction to looking after a variety of animals. Led by Lou, these sessions are practical, supportive, and a great way to get involved in everyday farm life. They are ideal for anyone who enjoys being around animals or wants to learn more about their care in a relaxed, welcoming environment.

You might find yourself milking our goat Crumble, feeding the chickens, mucking out the animal shelters, or simply giving our friendly guinea pigs some well-earned cuddles.

As well as looking after the animals, there are often other jobs to get stuck into around the farm. Depending on the season, you might help build planters, do a bit of weeding, paint signs, or help keep the shared spaces neat and tidy. There’s always something useful to do, and plenty of variety throughout the year.

It’s a great choice if you enjoy being outdoors and don’t mind getting a bit muddy. A reasonable level of fitness is useful for jobs like mucking out or shifting straw, but there are also plenty of gentler tasks if you prefer to take it easy. We’ve got a volunteer room for breaks – and the kettle is always on

Landscaping

When: Wednesday 11am – 3pm
Group Size: 6-8 participants
Cost: Free

Help look after and improve our farm spaces. Seasonal tasks include trimming hedges, building fences, and crafting benches. Larger projects are also part of the mix and have previously included creating a new pond and an outdoor kitchen.

Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or keen to learn, our Landscaping sessions offer the perfect mix of practical tasks and creativity. Led by Alex, our Sites Manager, this is a chance to be part of a friendly group, with plenty of opportunity to learn while making a real impact on the farm.

The work is varied and seasonal – from building fences and benches to trimming hedges or planting new greenery. Larger projects are also part of the mix and have previously included creating a new pond and building an outdoor kitchen. Each task plays a key role in keeping the farm in great shape for our animals and the wider community.

These sessions are ideal for anyone who enjoys working outdoors and doesn’t mind rolling up their sleeves for some physical work. You’ll get to develop new skills, help transform the space, and see your hard work come to life. All tools and protective gear (like gloves) are provided. We recommend wearing clothes you don’t mind getting muddy, along with sturdy footwear and waterproofs if the weather looks wet.

The group tends to be more active and lively, which makes for a sociable and energetic atmosphere. That said, we understand that not everyone will want or be able to take part in everything. Volunteers are encouraged to work at their own pace, and there are plenty of quiet, relaxing spots across all the sites for a breather if needed.

For more information on any of these activities email volunteers@swcityfarm.co.uk or call 0117 9428241.