Care & Conservation Wick Care Farm, near Pershore, is a not for profit enterprise that uses the farm environment in a therapeutic way for the benefit of children and adults. We talked to co-founders, Jo Ballin and Isobel Meikle. What is a therapeutic farm? (Jo) The project grew out of our awareness that farming, whether it’s rearing animals or growing plants, can be good for us. The farm provides a safe but structured environment in which people can grow, harvest, cook and eat together plus look after animals including hens, lambs and piglets. How does that bring benefits? Wick Care Farm is a welcoming, friendly place where adults and children are supported to carry out a wide variety of activities based on the farm. Each day is loosely structured and designed to offer opportunities to help people improve their mental and 56
physical health. The work needed to keep the crops and animals healthy is meaningful, giving participants a role and a sense of belonging which they may have never had before. People who come here form bonds with the animals and each other, develop new skills, learn to plan and adapt, and gain independence. They also become part of a community where they feel valued as individuals, both physically and emotionally. Taken together, these various benefits have a positive effect on health, bringing stability and optimising wellbeing. People gain in confidence in so many ways. As an aside, carers also get a much needed break.
Who comes to the farm? We work with children and adults who travel to us from across the region, 51 weeks a year. The groups that run on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays are made up of nine adults aged 18 to 80 with long term mental health issues such as anxiety, depression or dementia, although there are spaces for one or two younger people. Wednesdays are set aside for groups of up to six young people who need an alternative curriculum. Referrals come from a range of sources such as friends and family, nurses, teachers, social workers and mental health professionals. People can also self-refer.