Referrals for Supported Volunteering
Learn how to refer individuals or yourself to our enriching community farming and wellbeing sessions tailored to varying needs and levels of support.
Individuals or their caregivers, as well as mental health professionals, can make referrals to Oxford City Farm. Please note, while we strive to accommodate all, our resources are limited, and there may be waitlists for sessions. We prioritise inclusivity but may be unable to cater to significant support needs as we are not a specialist support service.
Level of need that we are able to cater for at our Community Farming Sessions and supported sessions
Our skilled community growers facilitate a warm and welcoming atmosphere at our Community Farming sessions. We strive to work inclusively and find that people thrive in mixed groups, however we are not a specialist support organisation and so review all volunteer applications so that we can ensure we are able to meet the needs of all those wishing to volunteer with us. We recognise that individuals have varying needs and levels of required support, so run sessions to suit these different needs:
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Friday and Saturday 10am-1pm
These sessions run as a drop-in session and are also open to the public to visit the site to look at the animals and enjoy time in nature. This means there is always some change in the team of volunteers and that the sessions are varied from week to week.
To access this session as a volunteer, we ask that volunteers:
are comfortable coming to a new space on their own or with their own 1:1 support worker/carer
are able to be in a group where people may not know they have additional needs
are able to undertake basic tasks with some guidance/instructions
are able to work without support from the session facilitator once given instruction/ demonstration of the task (though may be working alongside other volunteers)
are happy to have groups of visitors onsite during the session, which often include families and children, and often become busy (particularly on Saturdays)
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The Wednesday afternoon sessions are attended by invitation only and we often have a waiting list for this session. This is a group of intergenerational and mixed needs adults who work together and form connections and friendships while volunteering on the farm. We reserve a number of spaces for people who, due to additional physical or mental health needs or learning differences, may require some additional support to participate.
The group size is limited to 16 people and is facilitated by one member of staff.
To access this session, we require that volunteers:
are comfortable coming to a new space on their own or with their own 1:1 support worker/carer
are able to be in a group where people may not know they have additional needs
with some guidance/instructions are able to undertake basic tasks
are able to work without support from the session facilitator for at least half of the session (though may be working alongside other volunteers) or with their own 1:1 support worker/carer
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A programme of meaningful kitchen-based activities is delivered by expert staff and we aim to create a sense of achievement, personal responsibility, and self-confidence. The focus is on cooking seasonal and affordable meals from scratch. By taking place within a social setting, these activities also promote feelings of inclusion and belonging. These sessions have included participants from Community Connections, Age UK, Farmability, as well as through occupational therapists and social prescribers.
In our Community Kitchen, we provide a safe, accessible and well equipped environment in which participants are supported to a high staff to participant ratio (4 to 1). We offer sessions in 8 week blocks, depending on demand for sessions it may be possible to book onto consecutive blocks.
Referrals process and FAQs
Referral received
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Do they meet the criteria above? A follow-up call may be arranged by staff via email.
If no - sign post to more suitable services
If yes - invite applicant for a visit to the site and to meet staff
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Trial sessions offered
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Completion of trial sessions
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Review of trial sessions - place offered or not in conversation with applicant and/or referrer
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Please see the requirements listed above for each separate session.
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The Wednesday sessions are by invitation only, and so are best suited to people who might need a higher level of staff support to access the sessions and will benefit from a smaller and more predictable group of fellow volunteers.
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Wednesday sessions are by invitation only, so we ask that all participants commit to coming every week or fortnight. We can of course allow for some time off when necessary but like to keep the groups full.
Fridays and Saturdays are drop in so, though many volunteers like to come regularly, no commitment is required.
For the cooking sessions we ask that you can commit to all 8 sessions.
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Children under 18 must be accompanied by a carer and can attend our Friday and Saturday sessions.