Encompass - The Paddock

Encompass Community Services’ farm in Leopold called ‘The Paddock’ provides a unique setting and offers a fantastic opportunity for people to explore new experiences and learn new skills. The Paddock is currently being used by Encompass’ Options and Connections team (to host our Life Skills programs and the Farming It program), Encompass’ Employment Services division (to carry out the Urban Farm project), and Encompass’ College of Education & Training (to deliver courses).

Since purchasing the 7-acre property in July 2007, Encompass has completed modifications to the existing building at the site to address various barriers such as access restrictions for wheel chair users or people with limited mobility.

Encompass has big plans for The Paddock, which include the development of a sustainable and productive site, conducive to educational needs, training and employment for the users of The Paddock site, in line with Encompass’ mission and values of inclusion and engagement. The purpose of Encompass is to offer life changing opportunities to people with disabilities, disadvantaged youth, socially or economically disadvantaged and the general community.

THE PADDOCK
Life Skills & Independent Living Skills

The purpose of Encompass Community Services is to offer life changing opportunities to people with disabilities, disadvantaged youth, socially or economically disadvantaged and the general community. The possibilities at The Paddock are endless. Our vision is to create a state-of-the-art facility to enhance our programs and service provided to Encompass participants and students. Encompass envisions a property including training facilities and life skills programs surrounded by animals, gardens, vegetable patches, fresh produce and arts.

The Farming It program is a work crew comprised of participants and support staff who complete gardening and maintenance tasks at our property in Leopold. The participants assist in identifying and completing tasks such as: general garden maintenance; feeding and taking care of animals; cutting the grass, rooting out invasive weeds; pruning plants and trees; creation and maintenance of our vegetable garden by planting seasonal vegetables and aromatic plants (eg. basil, tomato, cucumber); preservation of excess produce through developing relishes, jams or chutneys etc.; raising seedlings in our two hothouses; and caring for our worm farms. For enquiries, please contact John on john@encompass-cs.org.au.

URBAN FARM
Training & Employment

The Urban Farm Program is an initiative of the Encompass Employment Services designed with the intent to build participants’ capacity for work by: engaging participants in eight hours paid work (Award Wages),
developing on the job work skills, providing the option of participation in nationally accredited horticulture training and promoting social inclusion and ownership of a farming project.

For enquiries, please contact Stephen on 0428 565 504; or send an email to stephen@encompass-cs.org.au.

FARM FRESH
Grown to Order
Encompass delivers fresh and locally grown produce to local business. Your purchase helps us provide job and training opportunities for people with disabilities in Geelong.
• Herb pots
• Plants grown to order
• Spray free seasonal vegetables
• Vegetable seedlings in bulk

If you are interested in Encompass growing seedlings and spray free seasonal vegetables for your farm or for general enquiries, please contact Chris on 0409 496 187 or send an email to chris@encompass-cs.org.au.