A popular inner-city farm has launched a series of educational workshops for vulnerable adults or adults who may be chronically excluded.
Ouseburn Farm in the Lower Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle upon Tyne is hosting carpentry and cooking workshops at one of its new locations at Wilfred Street in Byker, which is provided by Tyne Housing Association to help the farm become more financially self-sustaining.
The workshops provide an educational route or work experience to vulnerable adults teaching them essential skills and provides placements for the homeless and adults with learning difficulties and mental health problems.
Up to ten students will learn practical woodwork and repair and creative up-cycling of furniture which will then be sold on to the public at the new Ouseburn Farm shop on Heaton Park Road in Byker while the training kitchen, also based at Wilfred Street, will teach a maximum of four people basic cooking skills, cake making, decorating and creative cooking.
Fees are applicable however, people may be eligible for a funded placement if they meet a certain criteria and live within the city. There are also volunteer opportunities available for skilled individuals and more information is available from staff working at the farm.
Andrea Haynes, Ouseburn Farm Manager, said: “Our courses have always been popular and we try to develop and improve these each year. With our new educational classrooms which are based off-site, we have tailored the training to suit each individual.
“The workshop and training kitchen provides an environment which helps to educate people with learning disabilities to gain valuable experience and qualifications whilst at the same time providing the farm with a commercial revenue stream.”
Classes are held daily on a morning or afternoon and for more information, please contact the farm on 0191 232 3698, visit www.ouseburnfarm.org.uk or email janice.walton@ouseburnfarm.org.uk