Home Farm Trust

HFT (Home Farm Trust) is one of the UK’s leading charities supporting and caring for adults with learning disabilities – such as Down’s Syndrome, autism, challenging behaviour and many other such disabilities.

HFT Kent is based in Lympne and we have supporting homes in Hythe and Folkestone. Altogether we support 45 adults with learning disabilities to choose the lifestyle they want.

Life with HFT Kent is extremely varied for our individuals and we support them in many different ways.

HFT is so much more than just care and accommodation. We offer many ‘extras’ and it is for this quality that we are known.

One of our ongoing projects at Kent is our Supported Employment project. Helen-Claire Schofield our Day Services Manager organises employment for those that would like to work. We have successfully found jobs for 17 people from Kent at the moment – this can be voluntary or paid.

Nicola works two hours a week as a part-time cleaner. She has been working for the past eight months. She is supported by HFT while she carries out her work. She was recently asked what she enjoyed most. She replied ‘going to work’.

HFT are very good at looking at what stops people from living more independent lives. Once the problem is worked out we use low-tech gadgets to help individuals achieve the lives they want to lead. The main point is to give people more independence and privacy to minimise their dependence on carers at all times, but to make sure they feel safe and supported.

J has recently moved into a flat within a house. He is enjoying his own space and independence. He likes going out and about and to his local pub. He is extremely friendly and inclined to show off his keys to anyone he meets. There is also the chance that he might lose these. So HFT has installed a finger print lock at his front door so he is still able to go out as he wishes but he does not have to worry about mislaying his keys.

HFT Kent is currently in need of local supporters who can help raise money for many of its essential ‘extras’ that are not funded by the Government. It could be something as low-key as a coffee morning, organising a social event with friend to volunteering at our fete – or perhaps taking part in one of our Challenge Events such as walking the Great Wall of China, running a Marathon or a parachute jump.

Tagged as: charity, Folkestone, groups and societies, hythe