Rob's Day at Dumble Farm

Hear from Lorna Jonhson, Team Leader, on her day with Rob, his family and team at Dumble Farm:

I recently had the pleasure of supporting Rob on a visit to Dumble Farm, where we met his Mam and Dad and enjoyed a Land Rover tour around the fields to see the Highland cows. It was a lovely opportunity for Rob to spend time with his family, experience something different and enjoy the farm at his own pace.

When we first arrived, Rob chose to stay in his car and seemed unsure about joining the activity. I understood that he might need a little time to feel comfortable, so I offered him some reassurance and a packet of crisps. This helped Rob feel more at ease, and he soon decided to leave his car and join his team and his family for the tour.

Once we set off around the fields, I began to see Rob’s interest in the animals and his surroundings. He made some lovely comments as we spotted the cows, saying:

“Good cow”

And he also shared how the:

“Cow needs a haircut!”

It was wonderful to see him taking in the experience.

One of the most exciting parts of the tour was when the Highland cows came close to the Land Rover and they started to approach the open windows.

At times, this seemed a little overwhelming for Rob, and he said “No” while holding a team member’s hand for reassurance.

With familiar people close by, Rob remained calm and even chose to throw some cow feed out of the window towards the animals. This was a lovely moment, as he was able to take part in a way that felt comfortable for him.

After the tour, we went over to the picnic benches, where Rob enjoyed a slice of cake and a game of Jenga. It was a nice opportunity to relax after the excitement of seeing the cows. As we made our way back towards the car, Rob spotted the goats and decided he would like to spend some time looking at them with his Mam and the team.

Before leaving and returning to his car, Rob said goodbye to his Mam and Dad. His Mam described the visit as:

“A moving experience”

Although he was initially hesitant to leave his car at the start of the day, gentle encouragement, a familiar snack and the reassurance of people he trusts helped him feel comfortable enough to join in.

Reflecting on the day, I felt that the visit to Dumble Farm was a great outing. In the future, I would allow a little extra time at the beginning of an outing and continue to offer familiar comforts and reassurance where needed.

It was great to see Rob engage with the animals, share his observations and enjoy time with his family. With the right support and encouragement, he was able to make the most of the day and create some lovely memories with the people who matter to him.