Basey’s Barn. Community Group Spotlight

When you arrive at Bassy’s Barn, you’re not stepping into an ordinary farm. Hidden away in a quiet, secluded spot, this family-run small holding was built with one purpose in mind: to give children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) the joy of a petting farm in an environment that feels safe, calm and welcoming.

Unlike busy visitor attractions that can often overwhelm children, Bassy’s Barn has created something different. Every detail has been thought through with sensitivity. The setting is deliberately small and peaceful, designed to avoid the kind of overstimulation that so often makes family days out challenging.

Most importantly, families don’t have to share their time here with crowds of strangers. Instead, Bassy’s Barn operates on a “one booking at a time” basis, meaning each family has the space to relax, explore, and enjoy themselves in their own way.

Bassy’s Barn

That personal approach makes a huge difference. For many families, everyday outings can be difficult to organise, expensive, or simply inaccessible. At Bassy’s Barn, visits are free of charge, removing one of the biggest barriers. The team’s flexible approach, open six days a week, from 11 am until dusk, means they can fit around each family’s needs. Bookings are made personally, whether through a friendly email or a quick WhatsApp message, so no one feels like just another name in a diary.

That personal approach makes a huge difference. For many families, everyday outings can be difficult to organise, expensive, or simply inaccessible. At Bassy’s Barn, visits are free of charge, removing one of the biggest barriers. The team’s flexible approach, open six days a week, from 11 am until dusk, means they can fit around each family’s needs. Bookings are made personally, whether through a friendly email or a quick WhatsApp message, so no one feels like just another name in a diary.

The result is more than just an afternoon at a farm. For children, it’s a chance to connect with animals and nature without pressure or fear. For parents and carers, it’s the relief of seeing their children included, happy, and able to enjoy experiences that others might take for granted. For the wider community, it serves as a shining example of what can be achieved when passion and empathy drive a project forward.

Wessex Community Bank is proud to have supported Bassy’s Barn through our Community Grant. Their work is a reminder that social impact doesn’t have to come from large organisations or complex programmes; it can begin in a quiet corner of the countryside, where one family’s vision has created a haven for others.

Visit Bassy’s Barn by visiting www.bassysbarn.co.uk