Beckside Care Farm

30/03/2026

Care farmers find fun in washing our animals' buckets and filling with fresh, clean water. The sound of running water, the shapes made and the satisfaction of a clean bucket all create a calming, sensory activity.

Sometimes it’s the simplest jobs that bring the biggest smiles 😊

24/03/2026

A brilliant bit of teamwork in the stable this week 📦🐴

Our care farmers have turned a simple Amazon box into a boredom-busting enrichment activity for one of our ponies. Together, they filled it with hay and set it up so she has to sniff, nudge and forage to get to her food, encouraging natural grazing behaviours even while she’s in her stable.

This wasn’t just about keeping the pony entertained. It was about our care farmers thinking creatively, understanding animal wellbeing, and working together to create something meaningful. They planned it, prepared it, and loved seeing it in action.

A simple idea, made with care, benefiting both pony and people. 💚

20/03/2026

Why not let our alpaca help you garden this year? 🦙

Raw alpaca fibre can be mixed into your soil to slowly feed plants as it breaks down. It also works as a natural mulch, helping to hold moisture in the ground and protect roots during unpredictable spring weather.

Many gardeners also use it around young plants as a gentle, natural slug deterrent, as slugs don’t like crawling over the dry fibres. 🐌

It’s biodegradable, sustainable, and a great way to make good use of what our alpacas produce.

If you’d like to see what alpaca fibre and other products we currently have available, you can visit our online shop via our website:

Our 18 alpacas reside at our care farm, Beckside Care Farm, in the heart of the Derbyshire Dales, roaming 25 acres at their leisure. They are first and foremost therapy animals for service users of the care farm, providing support, purposeful activities, and a lot of joy for individuals with mental....

15/03/2026

Happy Mother’s Day!

Our care farmers loved making these special cards.

Homemade cards made with love 💖

12/03/2026

It’s great to see our care farmers growing in confidence with carpentry skills.

A mitre block and hand saw is used to make accurate angled cuts. This requires careful positioning of the wood, keeping the saw steady, and working with focus and patience. The finished triangular piece shows learning to measure, cut, and shape timber with increasing precision 😁

Developing these practical skills isn’t just about the end result. It builds problem-solving, hand–eye coordination, independence, and a real sense of achievement.

We’re proud of the progress being made in the workshop. 💚

03/03/2026

It’s been lovely to see a bit of spring sunshine this week 🌞

Our care farmers have been making the most of the fresh air, spending time out in the fields with the alpacas. The open space, muddy boots, plenty of laughs and a very curious herd all made for a good day on the farm.

Moments like these highlight what Beckside is all about: nature, fresh air , friendship, and feeling part of something meaningful. ☺️

20/02/2026

Sawing kindling to keep the care farmers warm in the tearoom. A simple job, but one that makes a real difference.

It’s easy to overlook small tasks like this, but they’re part of what keeps everything running. Warm hands at break time, a dry place to reset, a fire that’s ready when the cold sets in. Everyone plays a part, and every job matters. 🔥🪵

17/02/2026

Our sheep wasted no time making themselves comfortable in their clean straw. Cosy and perfectly content.

Job well done 😁🐑

10/02/2026

The cats made the most of the rare warm January day with a spot of sunbathing 🌞😎🐈

05/02/2026

The birds are enjoying the fruits of our labour with our home made feeders 🐦

03/02/2026

A quiet January morning.

Mist hanging low, frost underfoot, the sun slowly breaking through.

Simple, still, and quietly beautiful. 🌫️

02/02/2026

Occasional Support Worker – Beckside Care Farm 🐑

We’re looking for someone flexible and reliable to join our small, friendly team on an occasional basis to cover staff holidays and sickness.

This isn’t a regular weekly position, so it would really suit someone who enjoys a change of routine, likes variety in their week, and is happy to step in when needed, sometimes at short notice.

Do you:
☀️ Enjoy working outdoors in all seasons?
🐓 Like hands-on small holding life and practical activities?
🤝 Work well as part of a small, supportive team?
🌻 Have a positive, patient and encouraging approach?

The role involves supporting adults in a care farm setting to take part in meaningful farm activities such as animal care, gardening and general day-to-day tasks.

Experience in care or education is helpful but not essential, the right attitude and willingness to get stuck in are what matter most.

If you’re looking for flexible work in a rewarding, outdoor environment where no two days are the same, we’d love to hear from you!

📩 Please message us directly or get in touch for more details.