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John Ross the New “Care Farming Scotland” Chairman

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John Ross CBE is the new Chairman of Care Farming Scotland, the charity promoting the role working farms and holdings can play in the rehabilitation of people recovering from illness, following long term unemployment, homelessness or release from prison.

A former President of NFU Scotland, John Ross also Chaired NHS Dumfries and Galloway and, amongst several other roles, is currently Chairman of the Programme Board for Prisoner Health Care.

John Ross is delighted to be involved with Care Farming Scotland:

“As a practical farmer who has also been involved in the provision of health care and the rehabilitation of offenders I can see very well how work on a farm or holding might help those rebuilding their lives after illness or other problems. Just now there are approximately 10 Care Farms in Scotland but I know there are many more willing to get involved in the project”.

Care Farming uses commercial farms, woodlands and market gardens, to offer people worthwhile activity, within a supportive environment. It can benefit people with learning difficulties or patients recovering from long term illness, including depression, stress or drug related issues. Routine activity like livestock keeping also benefits those returning to work after a long absence. There have been Care Farms in England for a number of years and in parts of Europe they are part of the health or social services.

Care Farming Scotland was launched in 2009, since when the CFS Board, with SAC help, has achieved Charity status and carried out assessments of best practice and the degree of interest by land managers. The challenge now is to explore the best way to integrate Care Farms into Scotland’s Health and Social Service provision. John Ross paid tribute to the achievements of previous Chairman, Martin Robb.

“Martin’s belief in the role Care Farming can play has been central to the progress made so far. It has not been an easy journey. I thank him for his efforts and wish him well with his growing involvement with the rehabilitation of wounded and traumatised veterans”.

“I am also grateful for the contribution made by SAC in establishing the Charity and giving us the platform from which to move forward. SAC expertise will prove invaluable as we tackle the next challenge, which is to find the best way to work with health and social care services at a time when budgets and staffing are under serious pressure”.

John Ross announced that £5,000, secured from the VION Food Group, is funding research to gain a better understanding of how best to make the links between those requiring the service, those willing to provide it and those who might fund it. With no single approach across the authorities there is a patchy understanding of what Care Farming might offer and a wide range of client needs.

For VION UK Chairman Peter Barr said:

“This initiative is most timely when the Reshaping Care agenda in Scotland is now more focused on delivering personalized care. We are particularly pleased with the appointment of John Ross CBE and we have every confidence that he will engage with business and voluntary organizations to effectively deliver the new agenda”.

There are presently believed to be up to ten premises in Scotland that fit the Care Farm model, although a number of other bodies also offer some aspect of the Care Farm experience. CFS has a growing database of over one hundred people seeking more information about Care Farming in Scotland.  (See Notes for Editors)

To find out more visit the Care Farming Scotland website.

To contact John Ross CBE for further comment phone 0131 535 4131.

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