Young Farmers' Clubs are encouraged to have a wide and active programme of activities for young people to learn, develop in confidence and make new friends.
When planning activities, it's important to consider all your members – not just those with an identified need. Making reasonable adjustments will allow all your members to access a meeting or an event but you will need to make sure no one is singled out and treated differently.
Here are some example scenarios that may be familiar in YFC to help club officers with planning events and activities that are inclusive. This list isn’t exhaustive. It is designed to give examples of simple changes that can be made to improve everyone’s chance to participate whatever the activity.
Consideration | Access requirement | Possible solution |
|---|---|---|
Meeting venue | Needs to be accessible for someone in a wheelchair | Ground floor with accessible doors and disabled toilet facilities. |
Meeting venue | Age range: 10-18 year olds | Choose a village hall or similar as this is more suitable than a pub. |
Meeting venue | Hearing loop required for a member | Use a suitable village hall or similar that has access to this facility. |
Sports | Mixed ages and genders | Play similar ages against each other to avoid injury. Use more suitable equipment, e.g. soft ball rather than hard for cricket. |
Sports | Physical difficulties | Consider changing the speed, for instance playing walking football. |
All meetings | Noise levels cause some people to become anxious. | Control the activity, where possible and consider the venue – outside may be quieter than inside (e.g. sports). |
Stockjudging | People with sensory issues. | Allow people to take part at club level without the need for a white coat if it causes difficulties. |
Quizzes | Processing issues | Repeat all questions and allow longer thinking time. |
Farm Walk | Farm walk | A pre visit will allow club officers to discuss with the host if they have any special requirements and how they may best be accommodated, a parent/guardian or member themselves may also be included in the visit/discussions. |
Have open and honest discussions with members of the club, and parents/guardians where appropriate, to identify any barriers people may face and put reasonable adjustments in place.
These adjustments must be cost effective and inclusive of all members. The more people who can join and access your club meetings and activities, the more opportunities members will have for social interaction, fun and to gain new skills.
