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Care Farming Scotland
19/05/2009
A network of projects linking care of the land with care for people could be set up across the country following the launch of Care Farming Scotland today.
Using farms and woodland activity, Care Farming provides the opportunity for people with health or social problems to gain work experience, confidence and self-esteem by working the land.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead, who recently visited the Ballicherry Care Farm on the Black Isle, 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 initiative which will help improve the quality of live for everyone in Scotland."
The launch took place at the MacRobert Pavilion, Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston. Care Farming is supported by the Scottish Government, National Farmers Union Scotland and Scottish Agricultural College (SAC). The SAC has offered their assistance in helping Care Farming Scotland become established in the first 12 months.
Care Farming Scotland will support those delivering the services through awareness raising, provision of information and advice, developing networking opportunities, training, lobbying and policy development. It will help to put those commissioning health and social care or seeking educational opportunities in touch with land managers.
Although relatively new to Scotland and the rest of the UK, Care Farming is widespread in parts of Europe. Participants can include a range of people such as those with drug/alcohol histories, disaffected and excluded youth and those suffering stress. Research has shown that participation improves confidence, independence, skills and employability.