The farm giving young people a second chance

Poppy attended mainstream school for five years before she attended Bonterre

A year ago Poppy was refusing to go to school as the gap between her and others in her year group widened.

The 10-year-old is autistic and has been diagnosed with global development delay and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) which left her struggling in a conventional classroom.

Her story is typical of many of those attending Bonterre, a farm in Holt Heath, near Worcester, which helps to re-engage young people with their learning.

Staff said they have seen demand for their services increase in the last few years and currently work with about 300 children and adults every year.

The not-for-profit company teaches practical skills including animal care, gardening, cooking and carpentry.

Staff and volunteers aim to raise young people's confidence and self-belief using the land, animals and the natural environment.

As numbers seeking their help grew, the organisation said the site needed more suitable indoor space and a fundraising campaign had begun to help pay for it.

Poppy's parents, Rod and Holly, were among those who have donated.

They said they have seen a noticeable change in their daughter since she had been going to Bonterre.

"She's happy here and that's the biggest thing for us", said Rod.

Holly added: "Before I couldn't get her in the school environment space whereas now she can't wait to come."

Rod and Holly said their daughter had complex needs and they struggled to find a suitable school for her

The couple said Bonterre was the only educational establishment "that could come to any level of reaching Poppy's needs" in Worcestershire.

"It's a lonely place having a child with these kind of issues", said Rod.

They said her complex needs meant that she was classed as an "anomaly".

But she was not alone as there were many other young people struggling in mainstream education, staff at Bonterre said.

Among them is 12-year-old Bayden who is autistic and dyslexic.

He said he felt "stressed" at school and was often "naughty" but this environment suited him better.

"Coming here has helped me control my anxiety, basically control my anger", he said.

His dad Ross added at school they wanted him to "fit in a box" whereas at Bonterre "everyone can be their self".

Bayden struggled at school but said his confidence had grown since coming to Bonterre

The community interest company was set up 10 years ago by Mike Stringer, a former director of an international engineering firm.

It helps young people with a wide range of needs including special education needs and disabilities, those with mental health conditions and those that have experienced abuse or trauma.

"They've come from a setting that tells them that they're failures", said Mr Stringer.

"Put children in the right environment, you see a different child."

The farm also run community wellbeing group sessions and workshops for adults, to reduce social isolation and help those suffering with anxiety or depression.

Mike Stringer started Bonterre 10 years ago with one child but said they now received enquiries every day

Mr Stringer said they were getting an increasing number of enquiries and hoped to help more people.

As demand rose, they needed more suitable indoor space including a bigger kitchen to replace the collection of sheds and shipping containers they currently used, he added.

They launched a £175,000 campaign on a fundraising website to help pay for a new building on site.

"It's really limiting our growth currently. We are at capacity because of the facilities that we've got," Mr Stringer said.