Past
Historically ‘Whitton Rosser Farm’ was
owned by Sir Leoline Jenkins, a Cowbridge man who became Secretary
of State to Charles II and principal of Jesus College, Oxford.
In 1685 he bequeathed the farm to Jesus College and it was worked
by tenant farmers until it officially became the home of The
Amelia Methodist Trust in 1991. This was made possible by a
monetary gift to the Methodist Church from the ‘Huggard
Charitable Trust’.
The ‘blue print’ for the Trust began in the early
autumn of 1988 although it was not until the September of 1991
that work began on the site. A process of transformation involving
hundreds of volunteers and a small team of management and staff,
taking a site knee high in mud with part derelict buildings
to what can be found today.
Whilst visiting the farm further pictorial details of the
past, mapping our history, can be found in amongst the buildings.
Present
With the background of a tranquil rural setting, which is
open for anyone to enjoy, we provide valuable educational training
and recreational facilities specifically to young people who
would be otherwise denied access to them.
Our main work focuses on young people
with disaffection, emotional and/or behavioral difficulties,
a group so often marginalised and disregarded by the general
public. However the same general public can, without charge,
visit us daily to freely explore
the countryside and all that it has to offer.
We also host numerous projects for individuals with learning
difficulties, are accessible for school/youth organisations
to visit and work daily alongside a large number of volunteers
from both home and abroad.
We believe in the human spirit and know that with support,
care and respect individuals can experience positive changes
in their lives. The small staff team of the Trust provides
that support and is the backbone to the whole site.
Future
New developments for the Trust await us with the prospect
of further buildings, business plans and partnerships. In order
to secure what we have and continue to build on our own success
we need to ensure continued support, the reality is that you
could become part of ‘Amelia’s Future’ see
our help page for more details.
