The Good Life Farm

The Good Life Farm Social and Life Skills Program has been operating since 2005. It is underpinned by psychological theory and incorporates trauma-informed approaches while participants engage in animal and nature assisted education. It is an evidenced based program delivered by allied health and trained professionals from diverse backgrounds.

Our program meets the current NDIS legislation and is eligible for coverage under NDIS plans.

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Our Social and Life Skills Program is:

Based on the outskirts of Melbourne in the Yarra Valley
Voluntary and aimed at participants aged between 7 and 17 years
Operates throughout Victorian school terms
Participation is 1 day per week from 9:30am-1:30pm
Standard support is offered at a 2 participant to 1 staff ratio while individual support is 1 participant to 1 staff ratio
Group sizes generally range between 6-8 participants
The program is semi-structured and offers experiential learning
Our therapeutic model focuses on 3 stages of change

Healthy relationships, boundaries and safety
Purpose, healing and connection
Self and belonging

Participants of all levels of functioning come together at The Good Life Farm for a number of reasons. These may involve emotional and/or social challenges, personal growth, life skills development, or simply promoting general wellbeing.

A range of experiential learning opportunities take place throughout the term. These may include but are not limited to:

Team building activities, tasks and games
Animal observations, interactions and husbandry
Building and construction
Relaxation and nature-based activities and experiences
Outdoor recreation
Permaculture theory and environmental education
Farm related numeracy and literacy

Through these experiential learning opportunities participants are supported with:

Capacity building
Relationship building
Social engagement
Social skill development
Increased social and community participation
Emotion regulation
Self-awareness and self-care
Independence, confidence and self-worth
Resilience

The Good Life Farm Social and Life Skills Program is a unique therapeutic model which has been independently evaluated, (https://goodlifefarm.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Good-Life-Farm-Program-Evaluation-2023.pdf).

The research findings concluded that the Life and Social Skills program supported participants presenting with a diverse range of challenges across developmental, behavioural and mental health domains to create positive change: