Huckleberries

Nurture Farm & Wild Learning Community

“A place to be me”

A therapeutic combination of nature immersion, animals, and self-directed learning, to enhance children’s emotional well-being and inspire a life-long love of learning

“A place to be me”

The Nurture Farm

Huckleberries Nurture Farm offers children struggling with their emotional well-being, and those going through tough times, a place to belong, grow, recover and re-engage with life. As the first Nurture Farm in the UK, we’ve taken the nurture group model into the outdoors, intertwining the principles of green social care, cultural wisdoms on raising and engaging with children, and mindfulness practices.

We offer the magical combination of nature-based child-led learning, connecting with animals, nature and each other in our beautiful, rural, outdoor setting, to rekindle the capacity that every child is born with – to be curious about their world, take risks, see failing as learning, and develop resilience, so they can learn to love who they are and be their authentic self. 

We do this by cultivating a sense of belonging, so that children feel safe and secure, and therefore are able to explore and discover new skills, develop a sense of autonomy and responsibility, which enables them to develop their self-control and self-confidence, so they can reap the benefits of giving back to others, cultivating a sense of compassion, empathy and gratitude. 

We help children to develop skills to be more mindful, to understand and develop their strengths and passions, adjust how they think about and respond to life’s challenges, and so enhance their emotional well-being and resilience. Most importantly, at Huckleberries we use the curative potential of animal and human interactions, so the children realise they are held in the hearts and minds of each other, which has a powerful influence on their journey. 

Our Wild Learning Centre runs in parellel to the nurture farm, offering self-directed learning for families seeking an alternative to mainstream school, on a part-time or flexi-schooled basis. See our Wild Learrning Community page for more details.

Huckleberries is a Registered Charity (Reg Charity No 1209671).

 

Schools Programme

We currently work with over 30 schools providing free small group sessions for children struggling with their emotional well-being.  Children from the same school attend once a week for six weeks, with a member of school staff. We offer children ‘a place to be me’, where they learn how to grow their resilience, to help them adjust the way they think about and respond to life’s challenges.

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Nurture Groups

Our Nurture Groups offer longer-term placements for children who are failing to thrive in school due to social, emotional, or mental health needs.  Children attend one day each week for 2 school terms. 

Most placements are fully funded for children in need, who have no additional funding attached to them.  We also accept referrals from the local authority or schools for children in receipt of an EHCP or EOTAS package, but we expect these to be funded by the LA/child’s school.

Please read our Admissions Policy or contact us for more information.

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Charitable Incorporated Organisation

Huckleberries was initially established as a Community Interest Company in 2019, and registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in 2024.  From January 2025, all our operations transferred to the Charity.

Huckleberries is a Trauma-Informed Organisation.

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A Place to Be Me

Huckleberries provides a safe place where children feel a strong sense of belonging – a ‘place to be me’ where they can be their authentic selves.  From this place good things can happen… they can master new skills, gain self-control, self-confidence, and cultivate their autonomy, gratitude, kindness and compassion. 

The powerful capacity of positive human interaction aids their recovery and growth.

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Time to Notice

We spend much of our time in the present moment, encouraging children to notice what is happening right now in their bodies, minds, and the natural world.  Through guided mindfulness and yoga sessions, we help them to attune their senses, cultivate their natural curiosity, without judgement.

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Outdoor Setting

Come rain or shine, all year round, we are outdoors in nature.  We chat, drink, cook, eat, whittle, enjoy nature art and bushcrafts by the campfire, or under the shade of the oak trees, meadows, or riverbank in the summer. We take our hammocks and blankets off to the woods for yoga or lunch and connect with the ever-changing seasons and weather on farm walks each day.

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Caring for the Animals

The children take responsibility for grooming, feeding, cleaning out the animals, ensuring their needs are met.

Each Spring we typically have goat kids, bottle-fed lambs, and chicks, alongside our established herd of Pygmy goats, and Roo our affectionate Golden Guernsey. The children also look after our chickens, ducks, guinea pigs, and Jet our loving Border Collie, who adores everyone! 

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"I’ve seen her light turn back on"

– Parent

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"Its been so fun coming here. I learnt lots of things like how to make a fire and nettle fritters, and enjoyed being outdoors. I've built more of a friendship with everyone and enjoy playing with them back at school too.

– Schools Programme – Year 5 child

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"I learnt that I should be proud of being me"

– Year 5 child

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"This wonderful little place has truly given the children a chance to be themselves. It has opened-up opportunities for them and given them a new perspective on life and who they are. Thank you!”

– ELSA

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"I enjoyed animal care with the goats. We sweep the poo, get them food and brush them. My favourite goat is Angus, he's 7 months old, eats alot and chills, and that makes me feel relaxed and calm.

– Schools Programme – Year 5 child

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“At a time where there has been so much stress, this oasis of calm has been such therapy”

– Parent

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"you have created the most wonderful space for little people. It was so special watching our little angry/quiet ones become so happy/chatty"

– Teacher

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"I love the goats and the hammocks. Its really relaxing and you get to listen to all the different noises in the countryside. Huckleberries is calm and hidden in the middle of the forest. The teachers are really kind and teach you different skills.

– Schools Programme – Year 5 child

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Huckleberries Gallery

Take a look at what we get up to…

Look inside

Huckleberries Gallery

Take a look at what we get up to…

Look inside

ENQUIRIES

Our Schools Programme is funded by the National Lottery and provides places for groups of 6 children to attend over a 6 week period at no cost to the school (subject to availability). Huckleberries can also provide places for individual children that are funded by the childs school, local authority or privately.

Enquiries

LOCATION

Huckleberries sessions are NOT located at our registered office. The farm is approximately 2 miles away and a Google maps pindrop will be shared if you have an appointment to visit.

Registered office :  3 Burford Lodge, Elstead, Surrey, GU8 6HU

DIRECT MESSAGE

[email protected]

TELPHONE

07979 856 851