We are delighted to announce the purchase of Lower Sutton Farm, situated in the beautiful Shropshire countryside, south of Bridgnorth.  

We will be establishing a farm-based day opportunity for adults with learning disabilities and/or autism where people can build on existing skills and learn new ones by participating in a range of activities with a focus on horticulture and animal husbandry.  

Animals we hope to have on our new farm may include  

• Alpacas 
• Goats 
• Chickens  
• Rabbits  
• Guinea pigs  

We will grow a range of produce including vegetables, salad, flowers and plants and establish a farm shop that will sell our fresh produce, our home-made jams and chutneys.  People on the farm will also learn craft and carpentry skills, creating products such as bird houses, insect hotels and a variety of homeware gifts.  

We will play an active role in the local community and surrounding areas and participate in local events; agriculture shows and markets.  

Support will encompass aspects of day-to-day life skills, such as cooking, cleaning, education and training, leading healthy lives while developing social skills. Each individual will set their own goals to work towards and be part of an inclusive culture that upskills people by encouraging continuous learning and development.  

A huge part of the farm will be building friendships and developing life skills.  The focus will be teamwork and confidence building which encourage independence.  

The site comprises of a farmhouse, 12 acres of land including a range of farm-out buildings.   

Bethphage are committed to ensuring that people we support continue to have a farm service available to them long into the future and that they are at the heart of creating this new space  

Bethphage’s CEO Stef Kay said 

“This is a fantastic opportunity for Bethphage as this site has so much potential. There are exciting possibilities for us to consider, there is already planning permission in place for two four-bedroom residential properties, and we have other ideas we will be exploring in the future subject to consulting with all stakeholders. Right now, our focus is on the initial work required to have the site up and running as a working farm within 6 to 12 months.”  

We will keep people updated with our plans for the site and will be looking for fundraising and grant opportunities to support the project as it evolves.  

We are committed to developing a sustainable farm by implementing eco-friendly practices that prioritise soil health, water conservation, and biodiversity. Additionally, we will incorporate renewable energy sources, like solar panels, to power our operations and invest in efficient irrigation systems to minimise water waste. Our goal is to create a self-sustaining ecosystem that supports both the environment and the community   

If you would like to support Bethphage with this or any of our projects, please subscribe to our newsletter  here  or donate via or Friends of Bethphage page on JustGiving.

This news story was updated on 17th July 2024 to reflect Bethphage’s ongoing plans for the site.