PACKAGES Our short term farm stay accommodation stay packages include the following:
Cabin Retreat (1 or 2 participants [siblings or known to each other ) with trundle option for carer or sibling/friend [sibling/friend with NDIS plan unless they are providing the BYO support].
Vintage Van retreat (1 carer ) with double bed . Carer providing the care for the 2 participants staying in the cabin.
All our 'with' support packages includes the following:
All supports and wellness plans created and overseen by our registered AHPRA Clinicians
Accommodation focused on Wellness
Non active overnight support [separate from cabin]
All home cooked meals [breakfast/morning tea/lunch/afternoon tea/dinner/dessert] as part of building independent living skills
Any events/markets/activity costs/transport during stay included
Costs: You are being supported by AHPRA registered Psychologist & Occupational Therapist. In general, rates are 1:1 or 1:2 rates are quoted. If some daytime hours can be unsupervised then 1:3 rate is considered.
Our Boutique Bring your own Carer packages: Accommodation for two [1 participant & 1 carer] in the Cabin and breakfast hamper for two; or Accommodation for three[2 participants] in the cabin and carer accommodation in the Vintage Van and Breakfast hamper for three. Each participant plan is billed.
GREEN ACRES FARM Green Acres Farm is located on an idyllic and peaceful 40 acres in beautiful Stroud, in the Stroud Valley on the Mid Coast, NSW. Guests are supported by us in one of 2 options. Both our independent accommodation retreats are located within a short distance from the main private farm house. There is always something new and different to see and do for each visit at Green Acres.
The Cabin Retreat & Vintage Van Retreat are set among towering shade trees, over looking the Karuah river. We have existing gardens and we are creating extensive gardens, edible gardens, a bush tucker garden, food forest and sensory garden, whilst expanding the existing orchard.
Our private location boasts a private rainforest with winding fresh water creek and weeping willows on their banks and many lovely sitting and resting spots along the way. Green Acres Farm is set in pristine privacy and by the banks of the Karuah River where we experience approximately 1.5km of wide fresh water river frontage. The resident platypus comes out to play for those lucky enough to spot him as does the resident echidna. The black cockatoos actually nest above the banks of the river, there are lots of native birds to spot, wallabies visit regularly and other visiting wildlife. Also if your lucky enough to be here at the time of year the fire flies [which are actually beetles] glow and flicker in the early evening on the farm. It is a magical sight as they sweep around the edge of the rainforest. We have created a lovely nook where you can sit and relax next to the rainforest and watch this magical wonder.
There is plenty to do - spend those long hot summer days down by the river in the swimming holes or jump in the kayak and go for a leisurely paddle. Or perhaps you would rather go on a rainforest walk in our private rainforest or bush walk along the river or nearby forests or dip your feet in the fresh water creek on the property, while exploring the native flora and fauna. You could also get your hands dirty and muck in with the endless farm tasks to do [we are a working farm afterall] or just do nothing at all and relax on your private deck and soak in the country air, sights and sounds.
Our capacity building therapeutic farm stay program that is experienced and delivered in a person centred way is focused on building capacity & independent living skills for all our NDIS guests, therefore guests are encouraged to participate in the working farm. The planting & harvesting of seasonal foods on the property for the preparation and cooking of all meals and snacks, collect eggs from the chooks, tend and interact with the farm animals and participate in other farm activities, including relaxing on a hammock, chilling out in the rainforest next to running fresh water creek just to name a few ideas.
Some activities can include: [depending on time of year & participant choices] for increased independent living skills and capacity building towards agreed outcomes.
Variety bush & rainforest walks [varying difficulties with enough challenge for participants]
wild flora and fauna [immersion, observation and photography]
Mountain bike rides
activities down by the fresh water creek and/or river
fishing by the river
water activities in the river and/or creek including swimming, paddling etc in summer warmer weather
attending local events that are on i.e brick & rolling pin throwing, rodeo, markets & festivals [event entry costs if any are included but participants must bring own spending money]
horticultural activities including planting, harvesting, bush tucker, sensory garden experiences
cooking class; preparation and cooking of meals from farm produce [homemade pizzas, scones, jams, damper, soups etc] BBQs
fishing for yabbies or fish in the dam or river
Outdoor wood fire pit [marshmallows, damper, whole coal cooked potatoes etc] during winter and cooler months, relaxation & enjoyment
tending the chooks, lambs, cattle and ducks, collecting eggs
Located on the fringes of the Stroud Village, only 1.7km from the centre of town, its within 1 hour drive to the vineyards, to the beach, to the Barringtons and to Newcastle...and many state forests to explore close by. There is no more central place to holiday for a short stay, respite time, rejuvenation and exploration. We have got the whole package !!
* we will assist you in determining if the farm stay accommodation is a good fit for your person with a disability. Please consider the following; that our support has non active overnight period [overnight support if needed can be accessed via intercom) clients/guests sleep independently in either cabin retreat or vintage van retreat on the property, they are separate to the main farm house [our family property] so therefore guests cannot exhibit or have history of behaviours of concern including any history (not limited to) sexualized behaviours or sexual offenses and/or where they wander/run away etc.
Vehicle travel [pick up and drop off] can be arranged and in general is included as part of the 24hr stay from the time transport leaves the accommodation to collect you. Alternatively additional cost/charge will be invoiced directly or claimed from your NDIS plan [which can be quoted for you based on your location using a per KM rate & support worker hours].
Our short term accommodation options are supported by our Registered Psychologist and/or Registered Occupational Therapist on our families farm where we live with our three daughters. Wellbeing Coordinators are contracted at times to provide your daily support during your stay when required due to unavailability of Todd and/or Tracy.
Short term Accommodation and Assistance (e.g. Respite care) is described as: Participants are likely to have a number of days where their support arrangements will be different. These are non-typical days and may include funding to provide replacement support, or respite, in group based facility or in home support.
Evidence from consultations to date indicates that support can generally fall into one of three levels:
Between the equivalent of 7 and 14 days per year: where the family provides support most days. This support is provided to the participant so that the informal carers can attend key activities relevant to other members of the family.
Between the equivalent of 14 and 28 days per year: where respite is a strategy to build capabilities for independence.
No more than the equivalent of 28 days per year: where the family provides support most days and informal care is at risk of not being able to be sustained due to severe behavioural issues or where the person requires intensive informal support.
These supports will be funded over a standard 24 hour period and participants or nominees will be able to choose how and when they use this funding in relation to weekdays, weekends or public holidays.
A higher level of support may also be appropriate for a defined period of time to ensure that a family or carer is able to sustain employment, complete their education or put more sustainable support arrangements in place.
There are many participants as the scheme matures that are receiving higher levels of overnight support than outlined above. Ensure you are requesting the appropriate level of overnight support that meets your or your family members disability support needs, goals and facilitates sustainable placements.
