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Whirlow Hall Farm Trust is based on a 138 acre working farm on the edge of Sheffield. Throughout the year we provide a wide range of inclusive activities for people of all ages that are designed to improve life chances, enrich and educate. We have a large number of chickens, sheep, cows and pigs. We also have ponies including Frankie the Shetland pony, goats, ducks, geese, rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Quail and have an apiary run by our bee-keeping volunteers. We also run a vineyard and orchard. Our shop sells local produce and is home to our new butchery. Our newly expanded café provides a great place to chat whilst sampling good food.
 
Throughout the year (except the Christmas holidays) we run a bespoke provision called Whirlow L.I.F.E. (Learning In a Farming Environment) for people with Additional Learning Needs. Projects include

• Caring for the farm animals
• Planting and growing crops
• Independent living skills
• Cooking sessions
• Natural art and craft sessions
• Work experience in our shop and café
• Where appropriate, working on AQA unit awards
• With permission, overnight stays in our residential hall or barn with a focus on independent living skills

We work with each individual to provide the very best experience. Projects are designed to be on going and build on previous work. We are always looking for new projects that allow our learners to grow.

During term time we also

• Deliver enriching day and residential visits for schools, community groups, and other organisations that include a wide range of curriculum linked educational sessions
• Work with primary age children who are excluded or are at risk of exclusion from main stream education
• Deliver a wide range of sessions for children aged 14-16, as part of the Sheffield Councils Alternative Provision network
• Work with special schools and colleges to meet the needs of their learners who attend on a weekly basis
• Partner with the Sheffield College in providing their students with the practical experience necessary to meet the requirements of Animal Care and Agriculture courses

During weekends and holidays we

• Are open to the general public and offer guided tours and animal handling, donations welcome.
• Run a SNIPS (Special Needs Inclusion Playcare Service) group every half term, twice at Easter and every week through the summer holidays
• Run Tots-in-the-Woods and Tots-on-the-Farm sessions for ages 0-5
• Run horse care and farm based play schemes
• Host activities run by Sheffield Autistic Society and Sheffield Young Carers

Residential units sleeping 12 in each building are available for hire and farm buildings are available for events and wedding receptions. 

We offer a wide range of volunteering opportunities across the entire organisation.
 
During the year we stage a number of fundraising events that are open to the public including Lambing Days, Farm Fayre, Christmas Fayre, music and comedy nights.