Farm-based rural centre helps support ‘excluded’ youth
Cows at Agri-cation © Rick Matthews A farm-based rural education centre near Bangor-on-Dee in North Wales is expanding after supporting more than 1,000 people, using farm-based learning to help unemployed adults and excluded youngsters into work, training and education.
Agri-cation, founded in 2020 by farmer Cheryl Reeves, provides practical training and tailored support to unemployed adults and young people excluded from mainstream schooling.
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While the farm revolves around calf rearing and some further finishing, the centre combines hands-on agricultural work with personal development, helping young people build confidence and move into employment, apprenticeships or further education.
The project has grown significantly, supporting more than 1,000 individuals in the past year alone.
Participants are referred and funded through councils, charities and the Department for Work and Pensions, with attendees travelling from areas including Llangollen, Corwen and Rhyl.
Environment
Organisers say the farm environment plays a key role in engaging those who have struggled in traditional classroom settings.
Activities include caring for livestock such as cows, goats, chickens and sheep, alongside learning practical and social skills.
A small herd of goats make up part of the farming at Agri-cation © Rick Matthews
Cheryl, who is also a training provider for agriculture and a calf-rearing mentor for the Welsh government, says the programme focuses on more than farming.
“The people who come here predominantly learn about farming, but we also try to do social skills and life skills with them,” she says.
“Some of the youngsters who are referred here don’t know how to behave with their peer group.
“So it is about working on their manners, how they interact with others.
“And that is so important – if you were going to seek employment, how you behave, your body language, is vital.”
Confidence
She says the approach helps participants develop a sense of purpose and increased confidence.
“What we do here makes a huge difference to the people we help,” she says.
“We have been successful in getting people into the world of work, people who have gone on to apprenticeships, people who have gone on to college, and people who have just been able to go on to live independently.
“They have become more resilient, they are able to get out into the big, wide world and not feel so anxious about it.”
Cheryl and Andy Reeves with Caroline Platt (right) © Rick Matthews
Husband Andy Reeves says involving people in farm tasks helps them feel at ease and open up more about their feelings.
“They are more relaxed on the farm. It doesn’t have the pressure of a school environment and they have the opportunity to expend their energy.”
Support
The centre’s work has been supported by agricultural bedding company Platts Agriculture, which has contributed financially and promoted the initiative through campaigns and events.
Managing director Caroline Platt says Agri-cation’s work has had a significant social impact.
“The work done here is transformational. It is genuinely changing people’s lives and having a massive impact on our society,” she says.
“I think it just needs more and more funding, and I would encourage every business to get involved.
“We got involved because agriculture in general is not given the recognition it deserves.
“That’s why we started our ‘Shout About Farming’ campaign two years ago.
“And we featured Agri-cation in that campaign along with lots of other agriculture supply chain businesses.
“Agri-cation gives people education about agriculture, food, nature and just the basics of life.
“We need more organisations like Agri-cation and more businesses to get involved in these initiatives. It is about collaboration.”
Education and life-skills at Agri-cation
Programmes at the centre typically run for six weeks, although some participants attend for longer periods to continue building confidence and resilience.
Sessions are supported by therapists, and additional activities include teaching basic life skills, such as cooking, for those experiencing social isolation.
The site also hosts educational visits for schools and colleges, broadening its reach within the community.
Agri-cation has recently become a supplier for the King’s Trust, enabling it to offer recognised qualifications in areas such as nature skills, woodwork and agriculture.
Cheryl says there are plans to expand both the site and the services it offers.
“We are now a King’s Trust supplier, so we can now do qualifications through the King’s Trust,” she says.
“We are looking to expand the site. We want to develop a hub where people can come for therapy, or they can rent the space and use it for what they need.
“We want to do more outreach, we are not hitting enough of the community that I would like to.”
If additional funding is secured, the organisation aims to extend its services into Flintshire, Cheshire and Shropshire, increasing access for communities beyond its current base.
Organisers say the combination of practical work, structured support and a non-traditional learning environment has enabled the centre to engage individuals who have struggled elsewhere, contributing to its continued growth and planned expansion.
