Part of our learning disability services, Newlands Bishop Farm in Catherine de Barnes, Solihull is a fun, positive work based learning centre set in beautiful surroundings. It provides unique work experiences in horticulture, woodwork, gardening, horse care, catering, retail and animal husbandry. Please find the farms brochure here Newlands Bishop Farm Brochure .
Newlands Bishop Farm: Offering work-based learning for adults with learning difficulties
Newlands Bishop Farm first joined the Family Care Trust in 2002, and since then it has developed significantly. There is now a modern woodwork barn, several maintained gardens, sports groups, horticulture, woodland management, landscaping and college courses to take part in. Having access to a wide variety of activities enables individuals attending the farm to develop their skills and being able to apply them across many different tasks.
The farm boasts a wide range of animals including sheep, horses, pigs, goats, rabbits, budgies and tortoises. Having access to a wide variety of animals has allowed the animal care groups to split into a large and small animal section, enabling those who wish to gain experience with larger animals such as sheep and horses the opportunity to do so. The farm holds a five star riding licence from Solihull Council demonstrating a high standard of care for the horses on site (please note we do not offer riding lessons).
As well as all of the work based activities the farm also offers functional skill lessons in English and Maths, food safety, manual handling and fire safety courses. In 2022 we also launched a work scheme with the aim of developing individuals skills to transition them into paid employment. We are also in partnership with Solihull college to offer qualifications in horticulture and animal care.
The farm has four gardens which are tended to by the horticulture groups called – sensory , recycled, cottage and beach garden. These spaces provide wonderful areas for project workers to develop their green fingers and to see how the plants and space develops throughout the season. You can visit the farms gardens at weekends 10-3pm.
Berry’s Café at Newlands Bishop Farm
Berry’s Café, located at the entrance of Newlands Bishop farm, opened in late 2011. The café includes a training kitchen and café to provide project workers with the opportunity to gain commercial catering and retail skills. Berry’s Café is also open to the public at weekends 10am to 3pm. The café also produces some fantastic fruit jams and preserves each year, which are sold on site. We also sell local honey produced by the farm’s bees. For up to date opening times please visit the farms Facebook page as during the summer the Cafe can be closed due to weddings on site.
Newlands Bishop Farm at-a-glance
- Work-based learning to teach skills necessary to gain employment
- Work placement opportunities for adults and young people with learning disabilities, brain injuries and mental health problems
- Day opportunities for people in and around the Solihull and Midlands area
- Well-qualified, caring and compassionate staff
- Working café open to the general public
- Woodworking unit, teaching carpentry and joinery skills
- Therapeutic horticultural group
- Gardening social enterprise
- Equine and animal care
- College courses in numeracy, literacy and skills for transitioning to paid employment
- Three hat tipi available throughout the summer for weddings and events (please click her for further information)
CSR days at the farm
We welcome companies wanting to take part in CSR days and tackle larger projects which we may not have time to complete ourselves. For further information please click HERE
For more information about the farm and how to attend please call 0121 711 2939. You can also check out Newlands Bishop Farm website HERE.
Newlands Bishop Farm, Berry Hall Lane, Catherine de Barnes, Solihull, B91 2RY