Scotland: National Rural Network
Enthusiasm was in the air at the launch of Care Farming Scotland at the Royal Highland Showground at Ingliston on 19th May 2009. Comrie farmer Martin Robb, who chaired proceedings, welcomed around 100 delegates from a wide variety of interests including the care sector, farmers and rural organisations. Delegates heard a range of interesting presentations including a keynote speech from Sir Donald Curry CBE and an address from Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead.
Care farming promotes mental and physical health through giving people the opportunity to spend time working on the land. Care Farming Scotland won't be actively involved inthe delivery of care farming services but, once established, it will support those who are. The group hopes to formally consituted as a charity by October 2009. The Scottish Agricultural College will be providing the secretariat for the organisation in 2009/10.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs said he was very pleased to participate in the launch of Care Farming Scotland and on behalf of the Scottish Government warmly welcomed the initiative. He said, "Care farming is a win-win-win initiative for clients, land managers, land based industries and the community as a whole.
"We already have some long-established individual examples of care farming in different parts of the country such as Ballicherry which I visited last month.
"Today sees the launch of a co-ordinated approach which will promote the initiative nation wide and boost the facilities available to help people improve the mental and physical health.
"The Scottish Government is fully committed to assisting in the promotion of this iniative which will help improve the quality of live for everyone in Scotland."
Delegates heard from two care farms in Scotland who prove what a success care farming can be for all involved. Caroline Matheson told the audience about her Farm to Work Project based at Ballicherry Farm on the Black Isle which she started 11 months ago. Caroline spent many years as a nurse, midwife and in a managerial role at NHS Highland. Using her experience in the health sector, she is now running a really successful project that focuses on improving the health and wellbeing of her participants and their chances of going into full time employment or training.
The project is currently funded by Jobcentre Plus, Highland Employer Coalition and Skills Development Scotland. Jamie MacDonald from Jobcentre Plus spoke later about the impacts of the project. 16 clients have started on the 12 week programme, and seven have gone onto work or training. He said he would love the project to continue to be funded beyond the end of 2009.
Richard Frazer from Cyrenians talked about the Cyrenians Farm in West Lothian which has been running for 37 years. Cyrenians work with people who are at risk of homelessness. This residential farm helps prepare people to live in a steady home. Richard said that reducing homelessness isn't just about giving someone a roof over their head and the average cost of a failed tenancy in Edinburgh is about £30k. Eight out of ten of their farm clients move on to a steady home.
You can find out more about the Cyrenians Farm by watching the video below:
Debbie Wilcox from the National Care Farm Initiative gave a fascinating introduction to the world of care farming, particularly what was going on in other countries. In Holland there are over 800 care farms, accounting for almost one percent of farm diversification - in fact it is the biggest growth area in farm diversification. And the average income generated by care farming in Holland is 65,000 euros.
In West Murcia in England, a farmer worked with a small group of Priority and Persistant Offenders. The area saw a significant reduction in crime and police and justice system resources required. As a result of their experience, some of the participants are now thinking about setting up a fencing construction business.
If you are interested in finding out more visit the Care Farming Scotland website. The SAC can carry out feasibility studies for those who want to explore the possibility of care farming. This is offered on a consultancy basis - although there is a cost to the farmer for this, the Scottish Government cover 80 percent of costs. You can read Care Farming Scotland steering group member Norman MacAskill's take on the event in the SCVO Rural Blog.
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