New youth initiative to get young people outdoors

A youth club focused on nature, farming and outdoor learning has launched at Vallis Farm in Frome.

The after-school sessions for 12 to 16-year-olds are designed to give young people hands-on outdoor experiences, from wildlife work and conservation to practical farming activities.

Land manager Tamsin Westbrook said, “We want young people at the farm building fires, pond dipping, tree planting, creating wildlife habitats, checking for snakes or whatever they want to do that day. If the sun is shining and they want to enjoy it then they can. If they want to hang out in the orchard with the sheep, building dens and bug hotels, they can do that too.

“This is a place where our young people get to decide. The important thing is to be outdoors enjoying time together.

The initiative is run through a community interest company based at Vallis Farm, Egford Hill. It is also exploring accredited training, apprenticeships and work placements in the land-based sector.

Tamsin said there is a wider aim to improve opportunities for young people locally.

“They are going to be making some big life decisions soon and a lot of the time they’re just in their room, on their phones, whereas this is about getting them off their phones, getting them outside, doing something healthy but boosting their confidence as well,” Tamsin said.

The farm is also hoping to introduce a group for 16 to 18-year-olds in the future to help address a gap in post-16 opportunities in the town.

“Unless you want to do A Levels, there aren’t many other post-16 opportunities in Frome. You have to leave and go somewhere else to do it, and that is not a viable option for everybody,” said Tamsin.

Youth club places are offered on a mixed-cost basis, with some spaces available at a reduced rate or free for those on a low wage.

In the summer term sessions will run afterschool until the holidays. There are two groups for 12 to 14-year-olds – Mondays and Tuesdays with a group for 14 to 16 year-olds running on Wednesdays.

For more information, visit www.vallisfarm.co.uk/youthclubs

Sessions will run from 4.30pm to 5pm during term time. The session for 12 to 14-year-olds will run on Mondays and Tuesdays, with the group for 14 to 16-year-olds will run on Wednesdays.