Fearless Farmhouse is a therapeutic inclusion farm located in Bellbrae, just outside of Torquay on the Surf Coast. We are approx. 30 mins from Geelong, and just over 1 hour from Melbourne. We are passionate about creating connections, supporting personal growth and development among animals & nature.
The farm is a safe, inclusive, and positive space, providing innovative programs & therapeutic interventions for individuals with additional needs & mental health challenges where they are supported and nurtured on their personal development & growth journey. This includes improving emotional, physical, social, spiritual, and overall wellbeing. We take a holistic approach based on the principles of Equine Therapy, Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) and learning, combined with mindfulness and Cognitive Behaviour techniques focusing on everyone’s specific needs and goals.
All our staff are trained and mindfully hand-picked by the Founder & Director, Hope Fitzgerald for their individual skills and experience, as well as their kind, compassionate and patient nature. In addition, our staff are flexible and have a strong commitment to the work we do at Fearless Farmhouse – they all WANT to be here. We believe that these characteristics along with a strong team work ethic and genuine love of providing person-centered care and developing long-term relationships with participants sets us apart from other services, and it’s no surprise that we have many long-term and returning participants. We are passionate about helping our participants to thrive and becoming part of the Fearless Farmhouse community.
Take a look at the programs we have on offer and please don’t hesitate to contact our admin by emailing us at [email protected] for more information, or to book. You can also book by visiting our website and locating the relevant Intake form: www.fearlessfarmhouse.com.au
We offer several programs which each offer unique experiences. From daily programs to respite camps. All programs can be flexible and tailored to the specific needs of participants, considering their needs, goals and interests centered around our large cohort of animals and working farm environment. Learning new skills, improving social interactions, building self-esteem, resilience & confidence are at the heart of every program. Each of our programs focus on the following :
• Positive & appropriate social engagement
• Emotional regulation
• Positive communication skills
• Improved skills for leading a healthy and independent life
• Increased motivation and physical health and well being
• Improved cognitive and motor skills
• Practicing mindfulness and positive thinking
• Strengthen resilience
Tailored to individuals by the FFH therapy team on intake with regular therapeutic support sessions to track progress, review & adapt when required :
• Suitable for all ages and abilities
• Focused on intensive and individualized support aimed at personal development & focused on specific goals.
• Tailored to individuals needs with overall aims and goals agreed upon prior to beginning program and regularly reviewed.
• Runs 4 days a week – Tuesday to Friday (term times) from 10am-3pm
• Supports overall well-being based on holistic therapy (Mind, Body & Spirit)
• Structured daily farm duties based on interests and ability, including animal care and maintenance, learning basic animal husbandry & agriculture, gardening, Bush walks, Nature & recycled crafts and projects, cooking and preparing healthy meals & snacks from our large organic farm garden, with more activities being added regularly for all weather conditions.
• Option to add Equine Supported Session (at extra cost)
• Increases social & community connection
• Improve core values & beliefs using mindfulness and positive thinking strategies.
• All inclusive – food and snacks provided (Please supply own water and appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear)
Become a part of a unique community in a farm environment :
• Suited to participants who are capable of being within a fully supported group setting
• Runs 4 days a week – Tuesday to Friday (term times) from 10am-3pm
• Designed for participants to learn by participation in all aspects of our working farm, including animal care and maintenance, learning basic animal husbandry & agriculture, gardening, bush walks, nature & recycled crafts and projects, cooking and preparing healthy meals & snacks from our large organic farm garden, with more activities being added regularly for all weather conditions.
• Option to add Equine Supported Session (at extra cost)
• Creates social & community connection
• Supported by positive, patient & encouraging mentors
• All inclusive – food and snacks provided (Please supply own water and appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear)
Education on all things horses based on “Equine Therapy & Learning”
• 2-hour Equine supported sessions
• Suitable for all ages and all abilities
• Runs Tuesdays and Thursdays (3:30pm –5:30pm, term times)
• Provide focused tuition with Equine Specialists
• Work on building and improving horsemanship skills
• Uses a criteria-led application, from ‘Beginner’ through to ‘Advanced Rider’ levels
• Encouragement, tuition, and support provided at all stages of participation and on completion of all stages of the program.
• Get to know all about our beautiful horses including hands on learning, feeding, getting them prepared and ready for riding and how to care for them (grooming etc.)
• Flexibility and patience at all stages, focusing on increasing ability and confidence
• No time limit to ‘complete’ – we go at participants own pace
• Can also be in conjunction with other programs OR as a standalone session
• Suitable for Primary and Secondary School ages
• Runs Tuesdays and Thursdays during term-time, 3:30pm-5:30pm
• Structured sessions focusing on positive social engagement
• Increase social skills, independence & wellbeing
• Uses principles of Cognitive Behavior Therapy & Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT)
• Small supported group interactions/1:1 supported sessions based on needs and goals
• Fun interactive activities for all weather conditions
• Option to add Equine Supported Session (at extra cost)
• Snack provided (Please supply own water and suitable footwear)
• Suitable for Primary and Secondary School ages of all abilities (including mainstream school children where availability permits)
• Runs Tuesday-Friday during school holidays, 10am-3pm
• Structured days built around the farm routines
• Fun, interactive activities, connecting with animals and nature
• Fully supported group engagement and 1:1 support available
• Increase social skills, independence & wellbeing
• Option to add Equine Supported Session (30 mins, 60 mins or 1.5 hours at extra cost)
• All inclusive – food and snacks provided (Please supply own water and suitable clothing/footwear)
• Suitable for all ages
• Provide much needed respite for families, while giving an exciting experience for all who participate. Win/Win!
• Held regularly on weekends and by request (please enquire)
• Fully supported all-inclusive overnight camping experience – Running over weekends
• Participants get to sleep in a Swag or tent under the stars at our dedicated on-site camping area with views of the ocean, and social engagement around our campfire
• Activities include- Archery, Firewood missions, watching the many Kangaroos, horses and Alpaca’s, Billy carting, horse-riding (a 30 min session is included in cost), farm animal feeds, large screen movie area, home-cooked camp tucker, and arts & crafts projects
• Fully supported by experienced staff who are present the entire time, including 1:1 support if required
• All-inclusive – all meals and snacks are provided
• Participants provide their own water bottles, sleeping bags, pillow, change of clothes, toothbrush, and basic personal effects. No devices please, unless by prior arrangement
• Suitable for all weather conditions and run all year
• Limited places available on a first come, first served basis
• Holistic therapy support, facilitated by one of our professional FFH onsite therapists
• Regular basis or on an as needed basis, including a one-off session
• FFH Therapists are involved in participants’ goals from the beginning of the intake process, ensuring that the best structured support is available in helping to reach specific aims and/or goals
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable
• Please see ‘Fearless Farmhouse Therapy Support Guide’ below for detailed Therapy guide
• Emergency or non-emergency Respite care (daytime and/or overnight, weekends)
• Email us to discuss your requirements, we can assist in a wide range of scenarios including overnight 1:1 care
• We can arrange group visits/host parties by arrangement either catered or uncatered
• We can tailor visits with in the farm routines to suit your needs and desires
• Contact us by email to advise us of your requirements and we can work through the details with you
• Our other programs are our main priority and while we will always try to meet your request, it is dependent on other events we are running and staffing availability booking well in advance is advised to take advantage of this unique opportunity to hang out at the farm.
Fearless Farmhouse has two onsite therapists who work with participants attending any of our other programs. These therapists are utilized to deepen and broaden the experience of visiting our farm, allowing individuals to access therapy in a more enjoyable and flexible way.
Our therapists can provide holistic therapy support on a regular or one-off basis and ensure the best structured support is available and supports participants to reach specific goals and outcomes. There are several options available when accessing therapy on the farm. Please see below for frequency options and what that includes. Contact us if you wish to access these services or would like to find out more information.
• To be completed at the start of a new program or when first attending the farm.
• Development of holistic individual goals to be achieved through attending the farm.
• Therapist will consult both the individual attending the program and any caregivers to develop realistic and relevant goals.
• Understanding and documenting current level of skills in each goal area to provide a baseline for supports and progress.
• Development of specific and individualized strategies to support the individual to achieve their identified goals.
• Communicate with FFH support workers on how to best support individual to achieve identified goals.
• Creation of any initial resources that may support participation in farm activities (visuals, daily routine boards, etc.)
• 1:1 therapy session to complete specifically targeted activities, to be guided by individual goals outlines in initial session.
• Flexible and individualized support.
• Can be weekly or bi-weekly as required.
• Also receive supports outlined in monthly and yearly therapy sessions.
• Monthly goals check in session with therapist.
• Review progress towards goals and give individuals ownership and support to progress towards identified goals.
• Identify any barriers that me be present, preventing goals to be achieved. Support to remove these if possible.
• Monthly update provided to parents/carers via email or phone call (whichever is preferred).
• Therapist will check in with relevant FFH support workers to review observations, strategies, and overall progress towards goals.
• Also receive supports outlined in yearly therapy sessions.
• Full therapeutic report outlining progression made throughout 12 months at the farm, great report for NDIS funding and continuation of supports.
• Detailed outcome measures to determine the success and efficiency of the farm program.
• Recommendations for the following year.
• Review and update goals as required to prepare for the next 12 months.
• Development / update any strategies as required.
