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Care Farming Scotland - Restoring Health And Well-Being Through Farm Work (Archived Content)

SAC News Release Ref. No: 09N23
Published: 14 May 2009

Cultivating crops or caring for livestock can help people recover from illness, return to the routine of work or cope with stress. Care farms can offer those opportunities, combining care of the land with the care of people. Care farming offers rural businesses and communities a diversification opportunity, working in partnership with social and health services.

On Tuesday, 19th May the launch of “Care Farming Scotland” will take place in the MacRobert Pavilion on the Royal Highland Showground at Ingliston, outside Edinburgh.  Care Farming Scotland will be a registered charity formed by a range of partners to promote care farming and bring together interested land managers and a range of agencies.  Joining those behind the initiative will be Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead and SAC Chief Executive Professor Bill McKelvey.

Care farming uses commercial farms, woodlands and market gardens. Working outside, in a supportive environment can benefit people with learning difficulties, patients rebuilding their strength after long-term illness and those recovering from depression, stress or drug related issues. The routine of livestock keeping, horticulture or woodland work can also benefit the long-term unemployed.

In some countries in Europe care farms play their part in supporting the health service, in others they are a social service extension. Care farmers find it can help enhance the viability of their units through broadening their business and reduces isolation. Care farming has been operating in England for a number of years where, evidence suggests, it has benefits for patients and rural communities.

Using the Ingliston launch to outline their involvement with the initiative will be speakers from a variety of agencies. Sir Donald Curry CBE, who advises UK ministers on food and farming issues, will make the keynote address.  After lunch, the Scottish Government’s view on the concept will be given by Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead MSP, while Professor Bill McKelvey will explain why SAC is supporting care farming as an important initiative for Scotland.   

The Minister recently visited Ballicherry Farm on the Black Isle which is a “Farm to Work” Care Farm and saw for himself the kind of benefits the scheme can bring. The farm is a commercial unit which accepts up to three clients at any one time and reintroduces them to a work routine.

 

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News Release Contacts

SAC Contact

Dr Sarah Skerratt
Senior Researcher
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4335

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News Release Issued By

Mr Ken Rundle
Senior Communications Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4196

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Notes for Editors

Care Farming Scotland Launch Programme, MacRobert Pavilion, Royal Highland Centre

10.30: Registration, tea/coffee

11.00: Welcome & Introduction - Martin Robb CFS Steering Group

11.05: Keynote Speaker - Sir Donald Curry CBE

11.15: What is Care Farming? - Chair - David Henderson-Howat

          Care Farming UK - Debbie Wilcox (National Care Farming Initiative)  

          Farm to Work project, Ballicherry Farm - Caroline Matheson

          Cyrenians Care Farm - Richard Frazer, Cyrenians

12.00: Care Farming Scotland: Progress & Next Steps - Professor B McKelvey, SAC

12.15: Lunch

13.15: The Scottish Government view of Care Farming - Richard Lochhead MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment

13.30: Evaluating the Benefits - Chair - Dr. Sarah Skerratt, SAC

          The Farm to Work Project - Jamie MacDonald, JobCentre Plus

          Harvesting the benefits - Speaker from West Mercia Police

          The work of “Trellis” - Michael Hamilton, Trellis

          The Health Perspective - To be confirmed

14.15: Discussion panel - Chair- Sir Donald Curry

          Debbie Wilcox, Caroline Matheson, Richard Frazer, Jamie MacDonald, West Mercia Police, Michael Hamilton

15.15: Closing remarks - Martin Robb, CFS Steering Group