A Place to Thrive: Turner Farm’s Vision for the Future

For almost 300 years, Turner Farm has been transforming lives, and it continues to do so today.

Set within 48 acres of farmland in Swanwick, Derbyshire, this isn’t your typical classroom for the young people who come through its gates, and that is exactly the point!

For well over a decade, Turner Farm has been used as a vocational learning site as part of the Blend Youth Project Alternative Education programme for young people who have disengaged from, or are facing challenges to, accessing mainstream education. Many students live with special educational needs, have suffered significant childhood trauma, or experience mental health challenges, and for them, the farm offers a unique environment, a safe and nurturing space that makes all the difference.

As one year 11 student, reflecting on their time at the farm recently commented:

“The past 2 years have been so amazing, and I couldn’t be more grateful. The farm has shown me that I can achieve my dreams, and I don’t need to be scared. I wouldn’t be where I am without all of you. You are all amazing people doing an amazing job.” Marcie, Year 11 Student

Here, young people are not just welcomed, they are seen, heard, and included. They rediscover confidence, build life-changing skills, attain educationally and begin to imagine new possibilities for their future.

Rooted in History Built for the Future

Turner Farm’s story began in 1740 when Elizabeth Turner left a legacy to provide education for disadvantaged children in the local area. Centuries later, that same spirit of compassion and inclusion lives on.

Since Valley CiDS took ownership in 2009, the farm has been transformed into a vibrant centre for vocational learning used by the charity’s Blend Youth Project. It has also become a place of ecological restoration and community connection. Over 1,000 young people have already benefited from this nurturing environment, gaining confidence, nationally recognised qualifications, and a renewed sense of hope.

At Turner Farm, education is practical and person-centred. Students learn through hands-on experience: caring for animals, growing vegetables, cooking meals, mending fences, planting trees, woodwork and maintaining bikes.

It is a place where a young person can find calm in baking a cake rather than sitting in a classroom or self-regulate by stepping out into an open field. Whatever they need to thrive, we adapt to make it possible.

We don’t just teach skills, but help to nurture resilience, independence, and belonging.

The farm gives young people the space to be themselves and the support to become who they are meant to be.

A Vision for the Next Chapter

Over the years, we have made creative use of every available space to support learning, but we have now reached the limits of what is possible in our existing buildings.

To meet growing demand and offer even more opportunities to young people, we are ready to take the next bold step: a purpose-built vocational learning centre that will help us:

Enhance the learning environment and experience for young people.

Enhance the learning environment and experience for young people.
Expand our qualifications offer and learning pathways.
Increase our capacity to support more students who need and would benefit from this kind of learning.

Our vision includes:

A dedicated construction skills workshop
An enlarged bike and vehicle maintenance space
A fully equipped teaching kitchen for cooking, life skills and budgeting
A sensory room and garden for calm, quiet space
Art, music and recreational rooms to support creativity and connection
Additional teaching and staff space to meet future needs

This is more than a building, it’s a long-term investment in young people’s lives. We want Turner Farm to be a thriving, financially sustainable, and environmentally responsible hub that continues to transform lives for generations to come.

Laying the Groundwork

We are currently in the early planning stages working with architects, conducting essential surveys (ecology, heritage, drainage, highways, mining), to prepare for a robust planning application. The process is complex, but we’re committed to getting it right.

Most importantly, we are listening to the voices of our young people to make sure the space is shaped around their needs and aspirations.

This is a 3–5 year project with an estimated cost of £1–1.5 million, and we need your help to make it happen.

Help Us Build the Future

Turner Farm has always been a community effort. From the beginning, supporters have donated time, expertise and funding to help us grow, and now, we are inviting you to be part of the next chapter.

There are so many ways to get involved:

Become a Foundational Partner – by making a financial donation, offering fundraising support, contributing resources or expertise, or acting as an advocate for the project
Support Through Your Network – whether you are part of a business, organisation or community group that supports charities like Valley CiDS, or simply want to help grow our network, we would love to hear from you
Church Support – if your church would like to pray for our mission and support the next chapter of Turner Farm, we’d love to send you a Church Supporters Pack

If you would like to be part of this journey, please let us know by completing our sign up form to let us know how you would like to become involved or contact us at: friends@valleycids.co.uk.

If you’re someone who loves a challenge—we have got plenty of fundraising ideas to inspire you, download our Fundraising Ideas Guide to find out more.