Affecting an estimated one in eight of the UK population, equating to around 700,000 adults and children, autism is a lifelong developmental disability affecting how people communicate and interact with the world.
There is a wide spectrum of how the condition affects each person from little or no spoken language and also some significant movement difficulties to difficulties in social awareness. Most people are unable to interact or communicate with those around them in a conventional way. Others may suffer from acute sensitivity to noise, light, smells, and touch. If sympathetically supported, autistic children, teenagers and adults can use their strengths to contribute to the greater good, learning and using practical skills to enable them to have a worthwhile life.
Located just over five miles from Faringdon near Shrivenham, Pennyhooks Farm has been a place of support for children and younger people with autism for over 20 years. At the heart of Pennyhooks is a 100-acre organic grassland farm with 20 Aberdeen Angus cows and their calves, a flock of hens, donkeys, goats, and pigs. The farm has been owned by the Otter family for over 60 years and it was Lydia Otter, a Special Needs Teacher, who realised that her family farm could provide the ideal location to help young students suffering from autism. Together with former Probation Service Officer Richard Hurford, the pair established what was originally known as the Pennyhooks Project, operating out of the original farmhouse in 2001. With the generous support of the Baily Thomas Trust and farm diversification grants, by 2005 they opened their first purpose-built building Appletree House. In 2011, they established the Pennyhooks Farm Trust in response to the outstanding progress of their students. Over the years, the Trust has received additional funding to enable them to add a much-welcomed workshop and training space.
By setting up Pennyhooks Farm Trust, Lydia and Richard wanted to provide a safe setting where autistic school leavers can continue their development in a supportive farm-based environment. Their students all have complex autism and related conditions. Lydia, and her team of experienced staff, welcome 50 children and adults on the autistic spectrum every week. Some attend weekly, others daily, depending on their individual needs.
The training offered at Pennyhooks Farm is unique; their students are given the opportunity to participate in specialised step-by-step work-based training. Students start their learning through an adapted Open Colleges Network (OCN) Countryside Skills Course. Skills such as being part of a team, listening to and following instructions, practising, and persevering, through to learning a wide range of practical skills and work-based activities in animal care, conservation, horticulture, woodwork, rural crafts, baking and more. Students are valued and are given a chance to develop specialisms in particular areas of interest or aptitude and to try new activities and skills.
Pennyhooks’ core client group are school leavers aged 19+. Many of the people involved with the farm have been part of the Pennyhooks’ journey for many years. Recently Lydia and her team have embarked upon a £3m fundraising initiative to turn what was once a cattle shed into an accommodation block. As the students’ parents and families age, there will come a time when their main carers are no longer around. By having accommodation on site, people on the autistic spectrum will be able to have a safe place to live and work and continue to be part of the Pennyhooks community.
It costs Pennyhooks Farm Trust around £400,000 per annum to run the farm and their tailored training programme, of which they need to fundraise 25% each year. Costs include animal feeds, vet bills, seeds, compost, and staff salaries, to name but a few. Needless to say, this charity relies on support from volunteers who get involved in a number of ways from helping out on the farm at weekends, using woodwork skills to make ‘kits’ for the students to assemble and helping in a variety of ways for the Farm’s Open Days and sale events. Volunteers from companies such as Vodafone, Zurich, Quilter and the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Agricultural Mortgage Company have all taken part in community projects over a two or three-day period, whilst regular support is provided by the Nationwide, Co-op and Serco.
If you would like to find out more about the Pennyhooks Farm Trust, visit their website and watch the BBC Film from the link on the home page (pennyhooks.com). By doing so you will realise just how vital this charity is in the way they support autistic people and provide their students with ‘A Beacon of Hope for the Future.’
If you would like to offer your support as a volunteer, please email info@pennyhooks.com to receive an Expression of Interest Form. If you are part of a company or group that would like to get involved in fundraising, please visit easyfundraising.org.uk and search for Pennyhooks Farm Trust as your chosen organisation.
There are regular fundraising events held at Pennyhooks Farm during the year including Open Days, Plant Sales, Christmas Fayres, and special concerts. You can also buy handmade products from their online shop pennyhooks.com/our-shop. Follow Pennyhooks Farm on Facebook to find out more.
