The Children's Adventure Farm Trust

Who we are

CAFT is a registered charity that provides day trips, residential breaks and seasonal activities for children across the North West whose lives may be impacted by illness, complex medical needs, special educational needs, disability and social disadvantage. 

At CAFT, we are committed to creating a joyful and inclusive environment where children of all abilities can come together to have fun and be themselves. Our team ensures that every child, regardless of their background or circumstances, feels welcomed and valued.

The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust is based at the beautiful Booth Bank Farm, a 17th Century farmhouse set in the heart of the Cheshire countryside. We are a registered charity that provides day visits and holidays, free of charge, for terminally ill, disabled and disadvantaged children from all over the North West.

CAFT helps children of all abilities aged 17 and under. The needs of the children visiting the Farm are complex and range from severe physical and learning disabilities, sensory impairments and terminal illnesses through to children who act as carers for a family member, have already faced bereavement and who have witnessed and been victims of abuse.

A visit to CAFT is a lifeline during desperate times of need, where families are given the space and time to make precious memories together – with no barriers and no judgement.

Our culture and values

We’re a small, close-knit team on a working farm in Cheshire, and we all share one aim: giving children with additional needs and their families days out that feel safe, joyful and completely theirs. Everything we do is shaped by four values: belonging, stewardship, respect and care. Belonging means every child, family, volunteer and member of staff should feel this is their place. Stewardship means taking good care of every pound gifted to us, as well as the farm, our animals and the trust people place in us, so the charity is here for the families who need us for years to come. Respect means listening properly, being honest with each other and making decisions together. Care runs through all of it, for the children who visit and for the team who make those visits happen. We’re practical, hands-on and happy to muck in, and we’d rather keep things simple and human than corporate.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

At Children’s Adventure Farm Trust, inclusion isn’t a policy we added on. It’s the reason we exist. Every day we welcome children with additional needs and their families to a place where they can belong, try new things and simply be themselves. We hold ourselves to the same standard as an employer and as a board. We are committed to fair, open recruitment and to treating every applicant, staff member and volunteer with dignity and respect, whatever their background, identity or circumstances. We have recently strengthened our board with a Lived Experience Trustee, because we believe the people we serve should help shape our decisions. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are happy to make reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process. Just let us know what would help.