The Home Farm Trust

As previously mentioned, one of the pleasures of my job is giving assemblies! And this week, I was able to give another! This time, I was introducing the charity I am running for to the children at school. 

This was a mix of exciting and nerve wracking, as The Home Farm Trust is something so close to my heart. I couldn't wait to share the Trust's vision and explain what we are going to be raising money for, whilst also sharing some family photos and personal experiences of what the Trust is able to do. 

Overall, the assembly went well and in researching additional information about the HFT, I found out things I never knew before, like how they began! I never knew that it was one small group of parents that started the Trust, wishing to ensure a safe, secure and independent life for their children with learning disabilities. This small beginning in 1962 has now grown into a national charity, supporting 2,500 adults with learning disabilities across the country. 

Caravan Holidays! 

For me, The Home Farm Trust has always been there. When I was younger, I never considered how they came to be, or how they functioned. They were the people who looked after Uncle Stu, and that's all there was to it! Now that I am older and I look back on the life that Stu has had, it is so clear to me how instrumental to that the Trust has been. 

My Uncle Stuart has Down's Syndrome, which is a learning disability that for Stu means that he needs people to help him do things that we can do by ourselves. Stu doesn't really use verbal language like we do; he understands what we say, but communicates with us through a type of sign language called Makaton. 

Stu & Mother Dearest

When Stu was young, my Gran and Grandad realised that if he was going to be able to lead a life that was as independent as possible and be safe and secure, then they were going to need help. This is when they found The Home Farm Trust. They were able to support Stu and my family and have been responsible for him ever since. With the support of the Trust's amazing staff, Stu is able to live in a house with others who the Trust support; people
 who are his life long friends. 

The money donated to The Home Farm Trust provides so much to the people they support. It means that a person who can't speak is able to communicate and make choices about their own lives. It provides training to staff who work with the people the Trust support. It means suitably adapted living spaces so a person with learning disabilities can live independently. 
It means the people with learning disabilities can live the lives they choose, achieving their own dreams and goals just like we do. The money donated to The Home Farm Trust really does change lives. 

Stu & His Friends!

Well that was a long one! But as I'm sure you can tell, this is a topic that means an awful lot to me and when I talk about it, I always want to make sure I do it justice. If you want to learn more about the work that The Home Farm Trust does, please visit their website and read some of the stories of the people they support and the difference that they have made to their lives; it is truly inspiring. 

Please don't forget to visit my Just Giving page and help me to say thank you to this wonderful charity that does so much for so many. 

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/fiona-kitchingman