A CARE farm in Goldhanger put on an open day to showcase the activities available to adults with learning disabilities.

Lauriston Farm wants to integrate more people into day-to-day tasks on the farm such as gardening, cooking, crafting and animal care.

This is done through day placements where they come once a week and help in farming activities.

Co-workers contribute £70 per week and are taught both practical and life skills by experienced staff.

Director Spencer Christy said: “Each day is structured as a working day and has a central theme, but we mix in other activities depending on the work needed that day and the weather.

“We all have lunch together every day with ingredients from the farm as well.

“Over a short period of time, our co-workers can become an integral part of the farm team, giving a sense of belonging and purpose to each day.

“We already have a small team of co-workers and hope to grow this over the coming months and years.”

Christopher Briggs, 31, from Stanway, Colchester, has been coming to the farm for several months and on the autism spectrum.

Christopher said: “I love it here – it makes me feel quite happy.

“I like checking the sheep and doing the cooking. It was all very new when I started. I had an anxiety around the sheep but now it’s fine.”

Richard Dean, 50, from Heybridge, has just enjoyed his second week at the farm.

He had already worked at Butterfly Lodge care farm in Colchester but says Lauriston has more space.

Richard said: “I used to help with mending the stables if the horses put their foot through the door.

“You have more acres here and Spencer picks me up to come here so that’s quite cool.

“It’s nice because you can come out here and there’s the sea wall. I like the view.”

Tom Stentiford, 25, from Tollesbury, has cerebral palsy and gets around in a wheelchair. He has been going to the farm for the past few months. “I do a bit of gardening, carding the wool and collecting eggs from the chickens and whatever they ask me to do really,” he said.

“I prefer working outside instead of being stuck inside in an office.

“It gives me something to do in the week. I’ve learnt how to make things out of wool like tablet and phone holders.

“I think for people coming in and working here, they’ll feel much better about themselves instead of being stuck inside doing nothing all day.”