Lottie's Yard is a unique living and learning experience available to people with learning disabilities and/or autism in Northampton. The therapeutic effect of animals is becoming more recognised within the scientific field, especially amongst people with mental health and communication difficulties. Findings from our sessions have revealed that people arriving at a Lottie's Yard session will often leave with an observable sense of increased mental well being.
Our sessions run from our centre in Moulton Park called The Pod where we care for small animals and complete a learning program. We also have access to farms and yards across the county to visit and learn about larger animals. We try and vary the sessions so you can experience as much as possible!
With the assistance of small and large animals as well as the great outdoors, we support our customers to set outcome based goals, recognise undiscovered strengths, develop life skills, improve health and wellbeing, produce pride inducing art and crafts, socialise and make new friends and expand their knowledge on animals and outdoor living.
The scope of our sessions is vast and person centred. We use work books to track peoples progress, which come in alternative formats dependent upon a persons ability and understanding. Achievements are celebrated regardless of their significance - we support people to be forever reaching their potential and beyond.
OUR ANIMAL ASSISTED LIVING & LEARNING PROGRAM
Our programs are flexible - after assessing your needs, abilities, likes and dislikes, a program will be developed especially for YOU and reviewed at least annually. Your program could include any or all of the following:
(For all topics there are practical and theory based activities available)
👷🏻♀️ SAFETY
(MANDATORY)
🐴🐰🐹 LARGE AND/OR SMALL ANIMAL CARE
Safety, grooming, husbandry, feed & nutrition, anatomy, exercise, mental wellbeing & healthcare
🚜 LAND MAINTENANCE
Pasture and boundary care and maintenance
🤷🏽 LIFE SKILLS
Transferrable skills (yard to home), promoting independence, hygiene, health & safety, self-care, outdoor living skills.
🎨 ARTS & CRAFTS
Therapeutic work, functional art work/communication tools, decorative, personal achievement.
🫂 PROJECT BASED ACTIVITIES
Customer led topics encompassing self-sufficiency, resourcefulness, community projects and helping others.
The Pod is home to our Lottie's Yard Sessions
