IVS-GB: Sunfield Garden School and Children's Home

Code: GB-IVS L14.1

Time commitment: 12 months

Approximate Location: Clent, Worcestershire

Project Description:

Sunfield Garden School and Children’s Home is a residential special school set within a small mixed biodynamic farm in Worcestershire, UK. The school caters for 70 children with complex and profound learning difficulties who require high levels of care and support. The children engage in a unique land and crafts-based curriculum, which has been developed for over 40 years by Ruskin Mill Trust, a UK wide charitable organisation, which provides holistic and therapeutic education and care for children, young people, and adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). At Sunfield, our farm and surrounding landscape provide a central part of the life of the school and is managed as a living, therapeutic educational environment that supports the wellbeing, development, and learning of the children and young people. Our aim is to create a beautiful, harmonious and vital farmed landscape, where our children can find many entry points and ways to learn.

Work Description:

Volunteers will join the land team at Sunfield Garden School and Children’s Home and take part in a wide range of practical, outdoor tasks that support the daily life of the school and the wellbeing of its children. Work is varied and seasonal, offering a balanced mix of routine care and longer-term land development projects.

Typical activities include;

-          Garden work in our market garden and growing areas, such as planting, weeding, mulching, composting, and harvesting.

-          Care of our animals (cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and hens), including feeding, bedding, and general maintenance of enclosures, always under the guidance of experienced staff.

-          General estate work including tree planting, orchard work, and habitat management are regular features of the role, alongside tasks such as fencing, path maintenance, and caring for shared outdoor spaces.

The work is carried out within a biodynamic framework, emphasising observation, care, and working with natural rhythms. Volunteers are supported to learn new skills and to understand the wider purpose of the work within an educational and therapeutic setting. Tasks are adapted to individual abilities, and clear instruction and supervision are always provided.

Volunteers will work alongside experienced practitioners, the teaching staff and children but will not have direct responsibility for the children. Their main work is to support the day to day running of the school farm and role model steady consistent attentive work for the children. Volunteers will also have regular opportunities to engage in craft work with skilled practitioners.

Requirements:

We are looking for motivated volunteers who enjoy hands-on, outdoor work and are comfortable living in a semi-rural environment.

Essential Qualities:

• Social Skills: Sunfield is a vibrant, busy workplace with a large staff team and 70 pupils. You must be able to communicate effectively and respond professionally to a wide variety of people.
• Attitude: A thoughtful, patient, and flexible approach is vital. You must be able to follow safety guidance and work reliably as part of a busy team.
• Commitment to the Setting: You should have a genuine openness to being around children with complex needs—including those who are non-verbal or may display challenging behaviour. Warmth, interest, and reflectiveness are essential qualities.
• Resilience: You must be willing to work outdoors in all seasons and adapt to the changing rhythms of the land.
• Experience & Skills: Previous experience in horticulture, farming, or land management is welcome but not essential, as training is provided. An interest in sustainable land use, biodynamics, or therapeutic education is a distinct advantage.

Clothing & Climate: The UK climate varies significantly, ranging from 30°C on occasion in the summer to -5°C in the winter. Frequent rain is common, so you must bring:

• Sturdy work boots.
• High-quality waterproof outer layers (essential).

Cold-weather gear. (Note: The school provides a contribution toward the cost of outerwear—details below).

Special documents required:

Application process: After applying through IVS, we will conduct an interview to discuss the role and your suitability. Successful candidates will be guided through the Visa, police check, and DBS (criminal record check) processes.

Special Documents Required: • Evidence of Charity Worker Volunteer Visa • DBS check once application has been successful • Overseas Police Check for time spent living and working outside the UK. • At least 2 references • Full work/education history since the age of 16

Accommodation and Food:

All volunteers have a private bedroom in a shared house used only by volunteers. During term time, an organic/biodynamic lunch is provided in the school dining room with staff and learners. You will have domestic facilities in the house to prepare breakfast and evening meals, as well as lunches outside of term time.

·       We provide £250 monthly allowance towards living costs (you may be asked to provide receipts for all expenditure)

·       Outside of term time, we provide £2.50 per day lunch contribution for weekdays worked (equivalent to £125 per year).

·       We will provide £60 allowance for PPE (personal protective equipment – i.e. a contribution towards boots / waterproof outer wear)

·       There is also a travel allowance of £15 per week

Free time possibilities:

Sunfield is located in Clent, a small village bordered by a large country park with large urban areas quite nearby. Within the village, you will find several cafes, pubs, and restaurants. The nearest towns, Stourbridge, is 4.5 miles (7km) away.

In your free time, you can enjoy:

• Outdoor Activities: Excellent opportunities for walking, cycling, and exploring the surrounding countryside adjacent to Sunfield. To the west, the landscape becomes very rural, offering easy access to the hills of Shropshire and Mid Wales.
• City Access: Regular train services run to Worcester and Birmingham. Birmingham is just 30 minutes away by train and serves as a major hub, with London accessible in about 2.5 hours.

Getting Around:

• Buses: There is an hourly service from the village in the daytime (except Sundays) which goes between the local towns Stourbridge and Bromsgrove.
• Trains: The local train station (Hagley) is a 10-minute cycle or a 30-to-40-minute walk from the school.
• Taxis: there are several taxi firms nearby plus Ubers are quite readily available.
• Bicycles: We can provide basic bicycles for your use.
• Cars: If you choose to bring or purchase a car, parking is available at the volunteer accommodation.

Pocket Money:

·       We provide £250 monthly allowance towards living costs (you may be asked to provide receipts for all expenditure) ·       Outside of term time, we provide £2.50 per day lunch contribution for weekdays worked (equivalent to £125 per year). ·       We will provide £60 allowance for PPE (personal protective equipment – i.e. a contribution towards boots / waterproof outer wear) ·       There is also a travel allowance of £15 per week

Visa Info: You will need to apply for a Temporary Work (Charity Work) Visa. The application fee for this Visa is £310 and you can stay up for 12 months. To apply for this Visa you will need a Certificate of Sponsorship which will be provided and paid for by Sunfield Garden School & Children’s Home, Ruskin Mill Trust.

Insurance: As part of your Temporary Work (Charity Worker) Visa, you will need to pay the NHS Immigration Health Surcharge if you are staying for more than 6 months which costs £1,035. If you are staying for less than 6 months, there is no cost. Sunfield Garden School and Children’s Home will support the costs of the NHS Immigration Health Surcharge and reimburse 50% of the cost upon arrival at Sunfield. Insurance for volunteers whilst on site at Sunfield is covered by our Public Liability Insurance.