David Lewis provides outstanding education, residential, day opportunities, medical and therapeutic support for people with learning disabilities, epilepsy and autism.
Our Day Opportunities provide an extensive range of innovative, person centred leisure, vocational and work based activities, in a variety of settings to adults with Learning Disabilities, Autism, Epilepsy and other complex needs.
The services are developed for each individual by supporting their interests and promoting their strengths. Using person centred approaches, the service gives people the opportunity to grow, develop practical and interpersonal skills, build confidence, have fun and meet new people, in a friendly, supportive and stimulating environment.
We offer flexibility in attendance with people participating from 1 day to five days each week.
Sessions: offered Monday to Friday depending on availability.
Full Day: 09:30 – 16:00
Costs: Upon request
The Service can be purchased through direct payments, privately funded, Local Authority or through the CHC.
Every person’s needs are different, this we appreciate, and the best way to understand what we can offer is to talk to us, so if you would like to know more, please do not hesitate to call our Head of Day Services Donna Ogden on 01565 640228 or email us via our Contact Form/Application form.
The application process involves the following steps:
Will provide individuals with the opportunity to develop practical, vocational and work based skills whilst undertaking a wide range of work based activities caring for the livestock, Poultry and small animals within Top Farm. Individuals will also work on the allotment which is used to grow a wide array of fruit and veg along with our polytunnels, where we can grow to sustain the farm animals as well as being able to sell our produce. Embracing and developing new methods of propagation and sustainable practices such as no dig approach and the use of our new hydroponic systems we are able to sustain the farm year round.
Will provide individuals the opportunity to develop practical, vocational, work skills whilst undertaking a wide range of work based activities caring for the livestock, poultry and small animals within Top Farm, in addition individuals will work on the allotment by creating and maintaining a Moon Gardening and No Dig approach that will enable Top Farm to be as self-sufficient as possible, but also allows us to reconnect with nature and reap the benefits of the holistic garden.
The service will facilitate creative and innovative work based opportunities for individuals in the following areas.
We have recently undertaken several large projects within our environmental, sustainability and conservation goals. The first is the undertaking of a nature reserve with the farm site which includes wildflower meadows, extra grazing area for our horses, natural wildlife pond as well as a large bird hide providing opportunity to enjoy the landscape and look out for our local wildlife.
We have also recently completed the planting of a 23 acre woodland running parallel to the main site. This new woodland consists of 9,000 native tree and shrub species and has also been part of the Queens Canopy project. This new woodland will not only increase and provide new homes for wildlife, but will provide new opportunities for people to engage with nature and “let nature nourish your senses”.
We are very lucky to have the space to create a nature reserve within our site and this will run alongside our Northern Forest project which is in conjunction with The Woodland Trust. We have an array of wild animals that visit us at the farm and we would like to help them; we would like to play our part in supporting the future of Great Britain’s nature, history and culture. With so much of the UK’s green belt and nature being affect at an alarming rate though agricultural intensification, development, climate change, plastics, river damage and pesticides it’s the perfect time to do our part to restore our local nature to its glorious best.
We started off in March by planting 9000 trees within 23 acres of land on the site. now know as 23 acre wood. This new woodland holds a mix of native broadleaf trees and native hedgerows to increase space for nature and wildlife on the site and will include over 120 metre of accessible path for all! This has been in conjunction with the Northern forest project and MOREWOODS. Connecting to the woodland is another area of land which has been set up as a nature reserve including a large natural pond including native plant species, a beautiful bird hide with varying viewing heights, all within an area planted with wildflowers and native tree species providing a unique and biodiverse habitat for wildlife.
By providing the large natural pond in the nature reserve we aim to encourage wildlife such as Newts, Dragonflies, Bees, Beetles, Frogs, Toads and Birds. This, along with the wildlife meadow and 23 acre woodland, is supporting nature by allowing species to thrive but also improve the habitats both on site and surrounding, improve habitat connectivity, provide natural ecosystem services such as reduce flooding, controls erosion and enhance biodiversity.
Have you got your gloves ready? We have!!!!
“The Team and I would like to thank you for hosting us in July and again on the 11th August. After a day of weeding and painting fences, it was great to be shown the animals on site. The David Lewis centre is truly an amazing place where great work is done. I have had positive feedback from both teams involved who said how much they enjoyed their experience” – Volunteering feedback
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The David Lewis centre is surrounded by an array of different habitats and wild spaces which supports a diverse variety of species including many important pollinating species of bees, badgers, birds of prey and uncommon bird species such as yellow hammers. This enables us to provide individuals to get involved in Conservation and Nature activities, projects and initiatives. Studies have shown the importance of nature and wild spaces and being out and engaging with nature and its benefit for wellbeing and development. This is why at David Lewis we are increasing creating and developing these wild spaces and homes for wildlife and nature. The nature reserve we are currently working on will include a bird hide wildlife pond and wildflower meadow, which will be built and maintained by the individuals who attend Land Based services In the UK 93% of wildflower meadows have been lost through conversion of habitat. The creation of the nature reserve will see a return of an important habitat that is able to increase the diversity of species on site as well as provide novel areas to explore and enjoy. Through our conservation work here we aim to inspire people to conserve nature and our wild spaces for the enjoyment of generations to come. As Part of Land Based Services team not only will you be conserving and increasing our surrounding habitats, your work will be providing opportunities for species to thrive. Insects such as bees are incredibly important due to the pollination services they provide. As part of the day service team your work will be contributing to the conservation of different wildlife and plants by being involved from design through to construction of BEE homes and BUG hotels. Why because we are conserving these important species and increasing their presence. You will also be involved in the making of bird boxes, bat boxes and hedgehog homes that are utilised throughout the site, providing more opportunity for wildlife to thrive on-site as well as providing insight and gaining important conservation skills to ensure wildlife thrives.
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“JD’s is a place to meet people who you don’t live with every day. It’s a place to learn from each other and for staff to learn from us. It’s a place to speak up for yourself” – Pat
JD’s offers computers for typing skills, internet and email. Activities such as swimming and drama, our multi sensory environment and the chance to try out the potter’s wheel, join in a cookery session or enjoy a trip out on the bus, a bike ride or a visit to a local park.
David Lewis, Land Based services will be working in collaboration with The Woodland Trust as part of their MOREWOODs initiative, we will be creating an accessible, interactive 23 acre woodland heritage site.
At the side of the farm we have a wonderful large allotment which includes grassed areas, fruit bushes, willow beds, raised beds and flower beds.
Emu Fact Sheet
Bearded Dragon
Fact Sheet
Donkey Fact Sheet
Wallaby Fact Sheet
Application Form
All About Me Booklet
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