Scotland: National Rural Network
Connecting Rural Scotland - Promoting Rural Growth

On 19th May 2009 Care Farming Scotland are holding a Launch event at Ingliston, with Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead giving a keynote address. Everyone interested in care farming is invited to come along to find out more and show their support.

Care farming promotes mental and physical health through giving people the opportunity to spend time working on the land. Those who can benefit include people with learning difficulties, work-related stress, mental health issues, drug and alcohol problems or employability challenges. Care farming is a partnership between land manager, service provider and client. Participants can work on traditional farms or in forestry, horticulture and other land management activities.

The launch will be an opportunity to find out more about care farming and hear about the benefits from people who have taken part in projects. You can find a draft programme for the launch here.

Care Farming Scotland won't be actively involved inthe delivery of care farming services but, once established, it will support those who are, through awareness raising, provision of information and advice, developing network opportunities, training, lobbying and policy development. 

The Care Farming Scotland Steering Group was formed in 2008, and the initiative is supported by a range of organisations representing the farming community, care practitioners, academics, the voluntary sector and the Scottish Government.

There is no charge for attendance at the Launch event, but places are limited. If you are interested in finding out more about Care Farming Scotland, please book your place now by getting in touch with Adele Thomson on 0131 335 6205 or emailing adele@rhass.org.uk.  

You can find out more about the launch, care farming and Care Farming Scotland by downloading the Care Farming Scotland leaflet from our documents library or visiting the new Care Farming Scotland website.