In the Beginning

Sophia* came to us when she was 15 years old. Initially, she was anxious, withdrawn, and had significant difficulty interacting with others. She rarely spoke and found it nearly impossible to express her feelings. 
 
Sophia needed lots of reassurance and close supervision. When she did communicate, it was often in whispers, and she frequently experienced panic attacks. Sophia had struggled immensely at school. Sophia’s anxiety worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, as remote learning exacerbated her feelings of isolation and disconnection. Despite having no specific educational needs that warranted in-person schooling, the lack of face-to-face support severely impacted her engagement and progress. 

Sophia's Journey with OTF

Gradually, we introduced the idea of educational activities starting with visits to Orchard Therapeutic Farm. These one-hour sessions allowed Sophia to interact with animals and nature in a quiet and stress-free environment. Over time, these visits became a cornerstone of her development. The gentle routine of feeding the animals and caring for the plants helped her build confidence and reduce her anxiety. After a few months, Sophia extended her visits to one full day a week. As her comfort level increased, we introduced more structured learning opportunities during these visits. 
 
Towards the end of the summer term, Sophia transitioned to attending Orchard Therapeutic Farm three days a week. Her progress was remarkable. The familiar faces and supportive environment at the farm had equipped her with the confidence to handle a classroom setting.

"Sophia now participates in class discussions and engages in group activities without requiring constant reassurance," says the team at OTF.

Sophia's Story

Since joining OTF, Sophia has made significant strides in her academic subjects, particularly in English and maths and working towards her level 2 Functional skills. She has also formed friendships, something that once seemed unattainable due to her anxiety. 
 
Sophia's confidence continued to grow, and she began participating in voluntary work on the weekend, helping with various tasks and interacting more comfortably with others.