For Young People

Future Roots offers the opportunity for young people to utilise a rural environment to enhance their well being and to reach their potential.

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Careers Evening

Young ambassadors encouraging students to explore career paths in agriculture.

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Our Programmes

Find out about the programmes we offer 8-18+ years of age.

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Welcome to Future Roots

Future Roots has provided stability and direction to thousands of young people and families since 2008. We offer part-time individualised programmes that are reviewed regularly.

Our dedicated, qualified and experienced mentors offer a unique combination of animal assisted therapy, character building programmes, academic qualifications and a wide range of learning opportunities. This resilience model leads to positive outcomes at times when young people are most in need. Here is some recent feedback:

“This isn’t alternative provision; it’s appropriate provision.”

Retired head teacher & Ofsted inspector, visiting Future Roots

So we now deliver appropriate provision: opportunities that meet individual needs, help reignite young people’s thirst for learning, and build their confidence so they can recognise and realise their own potential.

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Getting Referred!

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News

October Holiday Club

front & centre in this national professional magazine

Early Help for children & Young People with emerging mental health difficulties

Donate online

You can make a one off or regular monthly donation via Local Giving. By donating through Local Giving we are able to claim Gift Aid of 25% on your donation if you are a UK taxpayer.

For Young People

Future Roots works with you and your school. Together we can make sure you get the best out of your education.

For Families

We are a local organisation that provides services to young people in Dorset and Somerset. We are based near Sherborne.

For Commissioners

Future Roots is included in Dorset County Council’s Alternative Provision Framework Ranked List.

Testimonials

We have sent five students from my year group to Rylands Farm this year and for most, if not all of them, their Wednesday visits have been their most positive experience within the education system thus far. I have been extremely happy with the positive relationships built up with staff and these mutually respectful relationships do not happen by chance, but through getting to know these disparate characters as individuals and then making sure they were helped to develop in a way that suited them.

Gillingham School
Future Roots has been very important to some complex individuals who The Compass is working with. It is early days for most of our students, although one has settled very well and for another the experience has led to a job!

The Compass Centre
Some of our students can be more difficult to motivate and we are very pleased with the progression they are making. The course [Future Farmers] has made the students feel very valued, as they are being given an opportunity to mature in a more adult environment. Our next year’s cohort are already very excited at having the opportunity to work at the farm next year.

Shaftesbury School
It has been very good to work with the team at Future Roots, as they consistently show an excellent understanding of the needs of pupils at Yewstock. There is evidence that all of the pupils are making good progress as a result of extended school activities at Rylands Farm and we very much wish to continue this programme.

Yewstock Special School
Brilliant service with a team that is always ready to accept new challenges. Very positive outcomes for the students who attend; 99% want to come back for more visits. It offers a nurturing environment where young people feel free to relax and have fun without being judged by others. It gives many students ‘time out’ from difficult home environments. It is a place where I know that the students are in a safe and positive place and offers both parents and students respite from what can be a very stressful existence.

Extended Services, Children’s Services Directorate
Fantastic for youngsters that are struggling, the farm helped my daughter so much for the year that she attended her confidence and anxiety have got so much better, I cant thank them enough all the staff are excellent and special thanks to Jenny and Darren you have both been fantastic.

TR
I watched some of the programme, ‘Chris Packham: The walk that made me’ the other evening. It was hard to watch. He was very honest about his own mental health challenges, particularly as a teenager, and how connection with animals and nature quite literally saved his life. It led me to be very thankful for you and your team at Rylands; for the many, many youngsters you have helped to a better place, potentially even saved from suicide, by giving them the opportunity to connect with animals and nature, in a non-judgemental environment. I wish there were more places like Rylands! I know our sons struggles would have been far greater if we hadn’t stumbled across Future Roots all those years ago. Thank you so much for all you invest in running the farm, and in each individual who comes to Future Roots.

Parent Feedback
It is a fantastic resource run by kind, caring, skilled and dedicated people. It works well for almost every student who goes.

Sherborne Learning Centre
Just to let you know, my daughter completed her first year at Sparsholt with Distinction in Equine Studies and has so much more self-confidence and self-belief. Future Roots was such a life saver for her - we owe you guys so much!!

Parent Feedback

Latest News

Xmas Holiday Club

Xmas Holiday Club

Outdoor short breaks holiday club sessions await groups of young people aged 8 – 17 years, embracing those with special educational needs or a diagnosis including challenges of mental health…

Autumn 2026 Newsletter

Autumn 2026 Newsletter

Our Autumn 2026 Newsletter is now available for download. Click the link below to download the PDF.…

Gillingham Careers Evening

Gillingham Careers Evening

Our amazing Ambassadors Ceira and Belle had a fantastic evening presenting Future Roots Career Opportunities to their peers at Gillingham School Careers evening. They talked beautifully about what…