Day Care Provision For Additional Learning Needs

THE BARTON HILL CENTRE

VISION STATEMENT

Our vision is to provide innovative, caring and supportive life experiences, work opportunities and structured learning programmes for people of all ages and backgrounds who have specific difficulties and who would benefit from the therapeutic effects of working with animals, horticulture and the environment.

1.HORTICULTURAL THERAPY

Horticultural therapy promotes physical and mental well being through the cultivation of plants connecting with new growth and the cycle of life. The benefits of horticultural therapy are:

• Can alleviate depression.
• Promotes confidence and self esteem.
• Promotes physical stimulation.
• Gives people a greater awareness and understanding of the natural environment.
• Growing fruit and vegetables to sell or consume – nutrition awareness as part of healthy living.

Horticulture – clients will have a range of tasks to choose from:

• Raising plants from seed and cuttings;
• Planting containers and hanging baskets
• Making compost
• Growing organic vegetables
•  

2. ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY (AAT)

Most people are aware of the use of dogs to assist people with physical or sensory disabilities to go about their daily lives, but there is a long history of the use of other animals for their therapeutic qualities.

Just being around animals and caring for them can be hugely beneficial both physically and mentally. It is now well documented that holding and stroking animals can reduce blood pressure and alleviate feelings of tension and anxiety.

Animals are non-judgemental and give unconditional love, and for survivors of abuse can often be the first form of ‘safe touch’.

They are an excellent aid to communication and are always a good talking point, but they are also useful in assisting with non-verbal communication and have produced good results when working with clients with autism.

AAT can also be used to assist with maintaining mobility and improving co-ordination and clients can learn transferable skills to assist them in daily life.

Many of the animals at the centre will be ‘rescue animals’ having a second chance in life, and we will ensure that they have a permanent home with us.

The benefits of AAT are:

• Combats loneliness and encourages social integration.
• Assists with treatment of behavioural disorders.
• Promotes a sense of responsibility and empathy with others.
• Encourages nurturing traits and so helps reduce anti-social behaviour.
• Promotes self-esteem, independence and self-confidence.
• Improves co-ordination and communication.
• Reduces stress.
• Encourages mobility

Animal Care – clients will have a range of tasks to choose from working with small animals and domestic livestock:

• Feeding
• Grooming
• Handling
• Health care
• Egg collection.

3. EQUINE FACILITATED LEARNING

Equine facilitated learning utilises the unique relationship that exists between equines and people to beneficial effect.

The horse as a ‘prey’ animal finds security in the herd and as such will ‘bond’ with people and seek to be led.

Equine facilitated learning can be used with people who have no previous experience of equines and need not involve riding (as in Hippotherapy – riding for the disabled).

The horse’s behaviour will ‘mirror’ that of the person working with it and so responds to human body language, most especially working on the basis of mutual respect and trust.

In the U.S.A. equine facilitated learning has been found to be beneficial in working with people with communication difficulties and conditions such as Attention Deficit Disorder and Autism, but also with behavioural problems.

4. GREEN WOOD WORKING

The practice of working with green wood is centuries old and is now being used as part of structured therapeutic programmes. Clients will be tutored in a safe and healthy environment and they will have a range of tasks to choose from:

• Using a shave horse
• Using a pole lathe
• Making simple objects
• Making chairs and stools
• Making hurdles
• Making willow structures.

 THE ‘WHEELS TO THE WOODS’ PROJECT.

If you have ever been in a wood looking up at the sun filtering through the trees, listening to the silence apart from the wind in the leaves and the unique smell of the woodland all around… then you will appreciate how special a feeling it is.

It is an experience so easily taken for granted…

And yet for many people woodlands are inaccessible places because of their mobility needs or sensory impairment.

The vision of the ‘Wheels To The Woods’ project is to create wheelchair access into an area of unspoilt woodland.

‘Charlotte’s Wood’ is a twenty acre mixed woodland with a wealth of wildlife and stunning views.

If you look into the horizon beyond the large pony field you will see ‘Charlotte’s Wood’ before you.

Putting in wheelchair access in a way that provides safe access but is aesthetically in keeping with the surroundings will be expensive but hugely worthwhile.

Some of the other goals for the project are;

• To reclaim a silted pond as a haven for wildlife.
• To provide a peaceful glade where participants can experience the sights and sounds of the wood.
• To construct a ‘woodland working area’ where green woodworking can take place.
• To put up nest boxes for birds, bats and insects.
• To create a quiet area for contemplation…

PLEASE SUPPORT US!