Hayrack Development CIC

About Us

Hayrack Church Farm is a family run Company, which has been running for 15 years. However, Hayrack Church Farm is not just an affordable petting farm for the public to visit, we do so much more behind the scenes. Our ethos has always been about giving back to the community to help as many people/organisations as we can along the way.

This is the reason why in 2024 we have decided to open up our Community Interest Company Hayrack Development CIC to continue our very much needed and proven community work.

Who We Work With

The Hayrack is very unique and can work with individuals and Organisation from most sectors of the community. Here is a sample of just a few of them:

Various SEND schools and charities for children with disabilities and autism
Adults with disabilities
Primary and secondary schools (mainstream and residential)
Universities and colleges (work experience placements)
Scout, beaver, rainbow groups
Local family support groups
Low-income communities
Individuals recovering from cancer, PTSD and mental health problems
Residential care homes
DWP and Job Centers
Many individual charities
Local Dementia Groups

What We Offer

Animal therapy is one of the best forms of recovery therapy and our farm offers individuals and groups another outlet away from their ordinary lives in which to heal and gain confidence not just for future employment but for overall well being.

We provide activities, provisions and placements that support individuals and groups, to overcome any barriers they may have to achieve their full potential.

This is undertaken by using a needs based approach to address specific needs through participating in farming/animal care related tasks, working along trained and experienced staff members.

Everyone’s needs and capabilities are very different, so that’s why we work closely with you to provide each group/individual a bespoke visit suited to their personal requirements.

Prices will vary depending on length of time and the staff to student ratio required. We have a great team here at the hayrack, so you can rest assured that the care and training you will receive here is of the highest level.

We also have makaton signs located around the Farm Park and cafe to enhance our guest’s experience. Placements are also available in our cafe providing hospitality training and confidence building.

So if you think your organisation would benefit from a placement or trip to the hayrack then please get in touch and we would be more than happy to help and discuss this further.

Testimonials

West Kirby Residential School

The staff are a major asset to the farm, they are committed to the community and caring for the animals. The farm excels with inclusion, they embrace volunteers who have special needs requirements or suffer mental health issues to feel included, be part of the team and feel valued.

The commitment of the staff and volunteers has been impressive working to strict health and safety procedures. The staff are a joy to work with because of their amazingly positive and supportive attitude, willingness to make the farm sustainable both economically and agriculturally. I have worked closely with the management who has gone out of their way to support our students and encourage them to gain the skills and experience of workplaces and encounters with employees and the general public.

Parent of Volunteer

My son has been volunteering at Hayrack Church Farm one day a week for the past couple of years. He absolutely loves it. It gives him a sense of wellbeing and self-worth. He is learning new skills and helping animals at the same time.

The staff are marvellous with him, so helpful and welcoming. They are always so pleased to see him and he feels a valued member of the team.

Volunteering at Hayrack has really been a godsend for him. He has found his happy place and this has given him confidence and definitely helped with his social skills.

Chester University

Due to the five-week placement in an environment like Hayrack Church Farm, students over time, become more confident and improve their communication skill amongst many others. Self-efficacy, increased confidence, and a general belief in themselves are the most common case study feedback.

There are too few local organisations, able to offer our Bioscience students relevant placements and therefore we see Hayrack Church farm as very important to our students and their programme of study.