A Kenyan farmer has made a life-changing move from Africa to the UK to begin a new career at a charity-run care home for adults with learning disabilities in West Sussex.
Wilfred Njiri, 43, recently joined Diagrama Foundation as a Development Worker at Duckyls Farm Care Home near East Grinstead. Previously, Wilfred managed crop cultivation and livestock on a farm in Kenya. In September 2024, he left his wife and children in Nairobi to start a new chapter working on Diagrama’s 100-acre farm, supporting residents with learning disabilities.
Duckyls Farm, acquired by Diagrama Foundation in 2023, offers a unique environment where residents can benefit from therapeutic engagement with animals and nature. The initiative aims to support physical, mental, and social development for people with learning disabilities.
Originally from Nairobi, Wilfred was introduced to Diagrama through his sister, Beth, who is a Manager in the charity’s supported living service. His involvement with the organisation began when he volunteered to visit the Rusinga Friends Spotlight School in Homa Bay, Kenya—a home and school for orphaned children. His insightful report from that visit prompted Diagrama to launch a fundraiser to support the school’s vital work.
Wilfred’s role focuses on empowering residents to lead more independent lives, supporting them in building autonomy and learning new skills. He recently delighted residents by organising a special Kenya Day, where he shared his heritage by preparing a traditional meal of roast sweet potatoes, mince, steamed cabbage, peas, and chapati. The celebration also featured African music, and each resident received a t-shirt to commemorate the occasion.
Speaking about his move, Wilfred said: “This has been a huge change for me and my family. My wife and children are still in Kenya, and I miss them and my friends dearly. However, I’ve been made to feel so welcome that I now feel like I have a Diagrama family here at Duckyls Farm. I was pleasantly surprised at how kind and friendly people are here. The warm welcome has helped me settle in quickly. This career change has been a big step, but I truly love supporting the residents and helping them live their best lives and it was great to see everyone enjoying the Kenya day.”
Karen Tolton, Registered Manager at Duckyls Farm, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have Wilfred as part of our team. At Diagrama, we only recruit those who can offer exceptional care and support to our residents, and Wilfred has settled in brilliantly.”
To support life-enriching experiences for the residents of Duckyls Farm, visit their Amazon Wishlist. https://linktr.ee/diagramaamazonwishlist
To learn more about the farm and stay updated, follow them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/duckylsfarmsussex
About Diagrama Foundation
Diagrama Foundation is a Kent based charity that supports vulnerable children, young people, and adults to live their best life.
Diagrama has a Supported Living Service across Bromley and Mid Sussex, three homes for adults with learning disabilities in Orpington, an eight-bed care home for adults with learning disabilities in West Sussex with a Community Services Programme a fifty-bed care home for the elderly with nursing and dementia needs in Essex, and a fostering and adoption service in the southeast. Plus, a 100 acre property offering farm and craft day Services cross West Sussex.
- The Supported Living Service, cares for 33 adults with learning disabilities, in seven schemes across Bromley and one scheme in Mid Sussex, helping them to develop skills and confidence to live in their own house either on their own or with others.
- At Cabrini House in Orpington the charity promotes the development of core skills for 23 adults with learning disabilities so that they can lead independent lives integrated within their community.
- Duckyls Farm, a 100 acre residential care home in West Sussex for residents with learning disabilities, allows the charity to explore the physical, mental and social skills and benefits that working with animals and in nature can offer to people with a learning disability.
- Diagrama Community Services operates at Duckyls Farm and across Sussex. This is a day care provision Hub and Outreach Support for people with a learning disability, physical and sensory impairment, acquired brain injury and/or autism.
- The team at their nursing and dementia care home, Edensor Care Centre in Clacton on Sea, support vulnerable residents to live life to the full.
- Diagrama’s voluntary adoption agency and not-for-profit fostering service cares for children who wait the longest for homes in London, Kent, West and East Sussex and Surrey.
Many vulnerable children and adults don’t get the support they need to develop their true potential, but the Diagrama team know that when someone has time and belief invested in them, they come alive, because that investment has made them feel valued and worthy.
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