Over the May half term, twelve of our young carers enjoyed a much-needed two-night residential stay at the beautiful Magdalen Farm in Dorset. 

This enriching experience provided a perfect opportunity to relax, make new friends, and enjoy nature, all while taking a well-deserved break from their day-to-day responsibilities.

Accompanied by members of the Devon Young Carers team, Tony, Paddy, and Bec, the group arrived at the farm on Tuesday and settled into the comfortable farmhouse accommodation. The first afternoon was filled with team-building activities at the low ropes course, including a silent communication challenge, which showcased the group’s creativity and non-verbal communication. Afterwards, the zip wire at the local park proved to be a favourite, followed by a delicious self-serve Chinese buffet dinner. Everyone created their own dish combinations, with some daring to try the super spicy sauces!

The evening continued with a fun orienteering session in teams, where two groups were lucky enough to spot deer on their trail. Later, we all gathered in the living room for a film night with popcorn and snacks, enjoying The Secret Life of Pets.

Day two began with a hearty breakfast and a trip to meet the farm animals. The young carers collected eggs from the chickens, stroked goats (including one named Paddy!), fed the pigs, and learned about sustainable food growing in the vegetable gardens and polytunnels and even tasted fresh leaves, flowers, and sugar snap peas straight from the plants.

After a tasty lunch of jacket potatoes with a variety of toppings, the group learned to chop kindling before heading into the woods for den building, fire making, and a visit to the cows. The day ended with some well-deserved free time in the farmhouse and a cosy campfire with talk of spooky stories under the stars.

    

On the final morning, the group took part in art and craft activities and created their own pizzas, cooked in the farm’s outdoor pizza oven, a perfect ending to a brilliant few days.

This residential was about more than just fun — it gave these incredible young people time to breathe, bond, and just be kids. One young carer captured the spirit of the trip perfectly:

“It’s a lovely place to be and I don’t want to leave. It’s nice to have a break from my troubles and I’m enjoying hanging out with my friends.”

We’re incredibly proud of each and every young carer who joined us and grateful to Magdalen Farm for hosting such a welcoming and enriching experience.

If you would like to find out more about Devon Young Carers, please visit our webpage Devon Young Carers.