Worcestershire MP sees care farming in action

A groundbreaking health and social care project which will see a network of working ‘care farms’ established across the region has been showcased to Mid Worcestershire MP Peter Luff.
Care Farming West Midlands (CFWM) was set up with investment worth £400,000 from the Advantage West Midlands Rural Regeneration Zone and is expected to see up to 20 new care farms created. Five have already been set up in Worcestershire.
Mr Luff, along with prospective parliamentary candidate for Worcester Robin Walker, saw firsthand how the farms have the dual benefits of developing existing farm businesses while also providing a positive lifestyle individuals traditionally excluded from society.
These working farms help a variety of individuals including those with special needs, people recovering from substance misuse, experiencing mental health problems and the long-term unemployed.
The party were shown around a working care farm at Top Barn near Worcester which specialises in helping adults and young people with learning difficulties.
Jon Dover, Policy Manager at Care Farming West Midlands, explained: “Care farms provide a practical combination of meaningful work, a supportive daily structure and connection with other people in a natural and healthy environment which can have a major impact on their behaviour and rehabilitation.
“Care farms originally developed in the Netherlands where there are now more than 1,000 farms of this type providing rehabilitation and support, effectively saving millions to society in terms of medical and social care treatment.
“Often people only need a second chance in life and the farming environment can be perfect to provide structure and discipline. Working in a care farm environment is shown to have a major impact, giving people a chance to develop something for themselves, improving their skills and health.”
Peter Luff MP said: “This is a truly inspirational scheme which is doing something really special right here in Worcestershire.
“Working and learning on real farms, these people can get back in touch with nature, developing skills they can use in the outside world.
“Those with long-term conditions can undertake more fulfilling work than they would ever do in a day care centre while farmers can provide this care and training better and at much lower cost than the more traditional approaches.”
The West Midlands is the first region in the UK to provide investment and structure to develop care farming.
Ian Edwards, Rural Partnerships Team Leader at Advantage West Midlands, said: “The Rural Regeneration Zone has recognised the potential of care farming and we are keen to be pioneers here in Worcestershire.
“The opportunity to address social exclusion is significant, but the economic benefit is important as well as diversification for farmers is a vital and care farming also helps us to address this.”