I first visited Jamie’s Farm in 2022. I was selected because I had really bad attendance in school, my behaviour wasn’t the best, and I was lacking in confidence. My grades were suffering because I wasn’t attending school regularly, which made my behaviour go downhill as well. I wouldn’t go to my lessons or turn up to school, and I was on a path where I probably wouldn’t have finished school or, if I did, I wouldn’t have finished with the best results. I highly doubted I would have gone on to sixth form.
When I first heard I was coming to the farm, I was quite scared. Coming from the city, it was difficult to picture what life on a farm would be like. The most challenging aspect of the visit was the change of environment and having to meet new people and follow their instructions in a completely different place
However, the supportive environment at Jamie’s Farm helped me overcome these challenges. The highlight of my visit was the hike, which provided bonding time with my peers and teachers. During my week on the farm, I gained various skills, including improved communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities.
After returning from Jamie’s Farm, it was quite challenging to transition back to my normal school routine. The transition from the countryside to the city was difficult. Despite the challenges, my relationship with teachers and peers improved significantly.
I saw my teachers in a different light, as humans rather than just people trying to tell me what to do all the time. I became more open, willing to listen, and eager to try new experiences. Now, the main differences are that I’m a lot more confident as a person, and way more willing to open up, be vulnerable and try new things.
This has allowed me to apply for universities, continue my education and live my life with confidence, opening up new opportunities for my future. This experience has opened up a variety of paths for me that I didn’t
think would have been possible initially because I didn’t have the confidence to even consider them.
