Welcome To Wirral

Dale Farm

Dale Farm is a day service for adults with learning disabilities, situated on the edge of Heswall Dale in Wirral. It is run as a partnership between Dale Farm Association, (a registered charity), and Wirral's Department of Adult Social Services. There are 100 students on the register with up to twenty attending each day. All students live in Wirral and there are males and females whose ages range from 19 to 70. The aim of the Farm is to use horticulture to maintain and develop the life skills of the students, helping to promote their independence.

Mission Statement

We aim to provide opportunities to enable people to develop their skills and abilities to the full, and to ensure that support is provided in accordance with the individuals assessed needs. Aims of the service:

1. To promote the independence of service users in all areas of life.
2. Enable service users to exercise rights and choices as ordinary citizens.
3. Encourage personal growth, learning and development according to individual needs and abilities.
4. Have realistic, but ambitious aspirations for service users in relation to recreation, education, vocational and training opportunities.
5. Encourage healthy lifestyles and promote social inclusion.
6. Services will be developed in partnership, and have a commitment to best value.

 Facilities

Modern buildings for indoor education and dining purposes as well as a newly built accessible toilet and shower room. Two greenhouses and a large poly-tunnel for indoor growing and plant preparation, a large proportion of the land is cultivated for growing organic vegetables and soft fruits. The sensory garden and raised beds area offer opportunities to the less mobile and those with sensory needs. Other groups are encouraged to visit and use the garden and customers and the public are also welcome to enjoy the farm.

Staff/Volunteers

The staff team comprises a manager, day centre officers, care staff, gardener, cook and domestic. They are responsible for the running of the farm including the development of programmes and the individual personal plans for all of the students. The staff group is supported by approximately 20 volunteers each week who are all registered with the Department of Adult Social Services and are members of the Dale Farm Association. In their role they work directly with the students in small groups carrying out the horticultural tasks appropriate to the season.

The Association

The association is a registered charity that depends on private and public donations in addition to their own fund raising activities. Thousands of pounds have been invested over the past decade in improving the facilities and purchasing new equipment.

Shop

There is a small shop on site where farm produce is sold to the public, this enables the students to practice numeracy, money handling and customer care skills.

Opening times

Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.00 pm

The farm sells seasonal organic vegetables that are grown on site. There is generally a large selection of perennial plants for sale throughout the year and in spring time bedding plants are available. There is an open day in July. This is an opportunity to meet the staff and volunteers and enjoy a glass of wine whilst listening to the Wirral Community Wind Band on the lawn.

Volunteers are always needed to work one day a week, 10am to 3pm.

If you require any further information about Dale Farm, visit, or telephone 0151 342 7819.

Or contact the Central Advice and Duty Team.

Telephone: 0151 606 2006