New Beginnings and Budding Connections!
February at Jamie’s Farm Waterloo has been a time of transition and growth, both in the gardens and within our young visitors. As we bid farewell to one set of programmes and welcome new ones, we’re inspired by the resilience and openness of the young people we work with.
Welcoming New Faces and Familiar Friends
We’re delighted to welcome back Oasis Academy Southbank, Skinners Academy, Haringey Learning Partnership, and Kensington Aldridge Academy (in collaboration with AllChild) to Waterloo this month. It’s always exciting to see familiar faces and build upon the connections we’ve made.
Spring Awakening on the Farm
Spring is making its presence known on the farm! Bursts of color from blooming bulbs remind us that warmer days are ahead. Young people have been busy planting seeds – cress, radishes, and winter salads are already sprouting – and we’ve been enriching our garden beds with farm-made compost. There’s a real sense of renewal in the air.
Flourishing in a New Environment
Last half-term, we were incredibly impressed by a group of Year 9 girls from Kensington Aldridge Academy, who visited in partnership with AllChild. Their maturity, openness, and self-awareness were truly remarkable. Esme, the Link Worker from AllChild, shared this beautiful reflection about one young woman:
“K really benefitted from her time on the farm. It gave her a great respite from school and it was fantastic to see her thriving and receiving such positive feedback for her efforts. She applied herself in all activities and took great pride in her work. She built strong relationships with staff and showed great vulnerability and trust in conversations. It was wonderful to see the girls flourish in this new environment and have time to bond with them outside of school.”
This group embraced the farm’s possibilities and formed strong bonds, highlighting the power of a supportive environment.
Connecting with mission-aligned Football Beyond Borders
Luke and Jo had a fantastic experience joining other Jamie’s Farm staff at a training day with Football Beyond Borders in Brixton. This inspiring organisation shares our values, working with vulnerable young people through the medium of football. It was a valuable opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and learn new approaches to supporting young people.
Thank you for your ongoing support, which enables us to create a nurturing space for young people to grow and thrive. We look forward to sharing more updates with you next month!
