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Creating positive futures for adults with learning disabilities

A Message from Hannah We are currently living in unprecedented times lockdown for me like so many others means working from home this message comes to you from the corner of my spare room which has now become my office As an organisation we have had to adapt with great speed to accommodate the current situation Many of the team are now home based others are on site looking after the animals and plants We have a range of virtual services in place to allow us to keep in touch with our Day Service Customers which have been a great success Hannah Tombs Chief Executive Officer Covid 19 will have an impact on us as an organisation for many months to come We will continue to respond to any changes to Government advice in a timely manner and hope that we will be able to start some onsite services in the not too distant future Our priority at all times will be to ensure that we keep everybody safe therefore it is likely that the day service will be delivered differently to the service prior to lockdown We look forward to a time when we can all be together again but in the meantime Stay Home Stay Safe Create Donate Nominate With everyone having to stay indoors this spring it s time to get creative We are excited to launch a virtual colouring competition and give you the opportunity to be in with a chance to win an animal adoption for one year and a family day out down on Dales farm Why not show us your creative side and you could win a great family day out We will pick a finalist from each age category who will receive a one year adoption of their favourite animal The lucky finalists will receive their pack in the post at the end of the competition All finalists will then be put into a prize draw to win the family day out The lucky winner will win a family day out for up to 4 people down on Dales Farm which can be redeemed once we are fully open For more details on how to enter please see our Facebook fundraising page https www facebook com donate 656188381902232 The finalists will be picked on Monday 1st June and notified via Facebook Thank you for your support and Good Luck

Dales Farm Even though we remain closed to visitors at the moment please rest assured that the team are continuing to care for all of our animals down on Dales Farm Each day the team work tirelessly to feed every animal change every bed and ensure the animals have all they need to remain happy and healthy You can see lots of pictures and videos on our Facebook page and YouTube channel Why not share a photo of your favourite animal for everyone to enjoy If you are looking for a present for someone don t forget you can purchase farm entry and adoption packs through our online shop Whilst we miss seeing all of our Day Service Customers and our visitors on Dales Farm we are working hard to ensure that once we can open safely again everything will be ready for you to come and enjoy our animals as much as we do We would like to thank Morrisons Littlehampton for their generous donation of fruit and vegetables for our animals Garden Centre Our online Garden Centre launched at the beginning of April with a superb range of bedding and patio basket plants as well as a large selection of perennials shrubs herbs roses and many other seasonal favourites https www ferringcountrycentre org pages shop department garden centre We can arrange free contactless delivery to BN11 BN12 BN13 BN14 and BN16 We can also deliver to BN15 and BN17 for 5 00 We are unable to deliver outside of these postcodes or to arrange a collection service at this time This year due to the current situation we will be holding our ever popular Annual Plant Event virtually Our famous summer baskets will be ready just in time for this Everyone who places an order between Thursday 7th and Sunday 10th May over the value of 35 will be automatically entered into a prize draw The lucky prize draw winner will receive a Family Day Out The day out will include free farm entry for up to 4 people lunch in our new Rangers Caf up to the value of 50 and an exclusive opportunity to have a personal introduction to some of our animals which can be redeemed once we are fully open Get your garden summer ready with quality plants at fantastic prices

Riding Therapy Unit Just like our other services our Riding Therapy Unit remains closed Our dedicated staffing team continue to ensure that all of our horses are still getting the high levels of care and attention that they need and even managing to take the odd photo to show everyone our beautiful horses The Riding Therapy Session s raise over 5 000 per month This income allows us to keep and care for our truly wonderful horses The lockdown means that Riding therapy has been suspended for the foreseeable future which in turn means a loss of income Some of you have been it touch pledging your monthly standing order as a donation Your generosity is amazing and we cannot thank you enough for your support We miss all our Customers Riders and Volunteers and we understand how much our closure is having an impact on you too We look forward to the time when we can continue with the Riding Sessions and Day Services We can t wait to see you back in the saddle Keeping In Touch During this time of social distancing we have had to think of different ways to keep in touch with our Day Service Customers Volunteers and Visitors We have launched a brand new YouTube channel which includes lots of videos of our animals and even Simon our Head of Operations reading Alice In Wonderland https www youtube com channel UCNq0gnCwppNsxTJXli2CESA We are sharing photos videos puzzles and even the odd TikTok through our Facebook pages We are really enjoying seeing your posts and videos please keep sharing Staff are continuing to contact Day Service Customers virtually through Facebook emails video and telephone calls Each week we upload a new sing and sign video and we love seeing your version of these We even have a virtual music group run by Dan the music man on Tuesday afternoons at 2 00pm for our Day Service Customers to come together and enjoy Even though we can t be at our Centre we can still keep in touch

Exciting New Project May should have seen the opening of our brand new building But with lockdown keeping our doors closed for the moment we wanted to share just how exciting this new project is The new building will house our Rangers Caf soft play toilets with baby change facilities an educational wall and gift shop Rangers Caf with its new enticing menu and tables hand crafted by our highly talented facilities team creates the perfect dining experience With the addition of two alfresco seating areas there will be plenty of room for everyone to enjoy There will even be a custom made Doggy Drinking Station for your four legged friends The highly anticipated soft play area will keep the little ones stay entertained whilst you savour a perfectly brewed cup of roasted bean coffee With the addition of iPads there will be something for every age to enjoy Our gift shop will be stocked with a wonderful selection of locally sourced products and branded items giving visitors the perfect opportunity to pick up a unique present for a loved one or even a treat for yourself And of course as a charity all monies raised from the sale of farm entries food drink and gift shop sales help us to continue to improve our services and support adults with learning disabilities We hope that you will be able to enjoy these new facilities for yourself soon

Classroom Appeal The Three Forts Challenge due to take place on 3rd May 2020 had to be cancelled owing to the Covid 19 pandemic Three Forts have supported Ferring Country Centre since 2011 with each event donating between 8 000 and 10 000 per year The generous contributions of Three Forts have made immeasurable changes to our Centre As a charity we rely on donations to be able to improve the facilities This year s contribution would have been used to enhance our educational spaces developing our two classrooms The classrooms provide a vital resource for adults with learning disabilities At the moment our classrooms are severely lacking in equipment supplies and functionality for students with complex needs Your donation no matter how small really can make a difference You can donate through our website https www ferringcountrycentre org appeal classroom appeal Or post a cheque made payable to Ferring Country Centre Classroom Appeal Ferring Country Centre Rife Way Ferring BN12 5JZ Ltd to If you are a current UK taxpayer your donation can be boosted by 25p of Gift Aid for every 1 you donate at no extra cost to you Gift Aid is reclaimed by the Charity from the tax you pay for the current tax year Your address is needed to identify you as a current UK taxpayer Thank You for your Support