About Fun Farm
Fun Farm Ltd was created to meet a gap in social connection activities and services for teenagers and young adults with disabilities, their carers and families in the Redland Coast area of Brisbane. Once children reach their teenage years and the high-school/post-schooling phase, their options for socialising, making friends and doing things their mainstream peers take for granted becomes much more limited.
This is also the case for the families, whose networks fade as the social activities of the schooling phase fade. Fun Farm aims to fill the hole in social inclusion activities for this age group and demographic; and to provide a program of events and activities that are not only ‘fun’,but which also help build skills and connect and educate families and carers.
The Fun Farm Ltd is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission (ACNC) and is registered Charity under the Collections Act (Qld) 1966. The Fun Farm offers a range of fun activities and experiences on a monthly basis for people with disAbilities to promote friendships and connections with peers similar in age. Fun activities and recreational programs, or a fun afternoon out which gives participants and their family a chance to connect, make new friends in a supportive environment. We don’t have the Farm yet, however that is the vision of Fun Farm.
The Fun Farm Story
Fun Farm was initially the brainchild of Karen Howe, whose son Dylan lives with disability.
As Dylan grew into his late teens, and approaching his final year of school, Karen discovered there just wasn’t much around in the Redlands offering activities, connection and support for teenagers and young adults with disAbilities. “For me, it was about creating social circles and connections for our people, and having some FUN things to do, said Karen. I also realised that families and carers of those living with disAbility could benefit from being part of a community of like-minded people, sharing resources and celebrating wins.”
The Fun Farm Vision
We emphasise community involvement and inclusivity, aiming to fill a gap in the Redlands community for individuals with disabilities.
Watch to learn how Fun Farm aims to bridge the gap, foster understanding, and create a supportive environment for everyone. Join us in envisioning a space where all abilities come together, make friends, and feel a sense of belonging.
Watch the video to learn more.
Meet Our Team
Fun Farm Limited was established in 2019, and is governed by a Board of Directors, who bring extensive and diverse skillset to the table. The Board is responsible for the overall governance, management and strategic direction of Fun Farm Limited.
Karen Howe – Director/Chairperson
HR Specialist, Career & Transformational Coach, Inspirational Author/Writer and disability advocate.
Hi, I’m Karen. I’m a local Redlands Coast gal, and a parent with a son with special needs requiring 24/7 care.
We have some amazing Directors onboard you will see here with much knowledge to impart to make this a dream come true.
Our vision is to create a space for the disability community to fulfil their hopes and dreams. We’ll deliver activities and experiences to build individual capacity, and create connections for people with disability, their families and carers – fun guaranteed.
Karen Vercoe – Director/Treasurer
Managing Director, The HR People
I have been fortunate to have a couple of special people in my life. Sons of friends, who have taught me that life isn’t always fair.
One of them once said to me, whilst we were at the beach and his wheel chair wouldn’t go any further, “I’d just like to do what everyone else does.”.
He doesn’t want to be a millionaire. He doesn’t want to take over the world. He just wants to do what everyone else does.
Karen Howe suggested Fun Farm and I thought, you know what? It meets the brief of what the boys need. Just a little fun in their life, every now and then. Not too much to ask is it? I thought not.
