The Care Farms: nurturing through nature

By Dean Sherwin, Care Farms’ Manager

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust has two Care Farms: Lakeside, near Oaksey and The Willows, in Broughton Gifford. Across both Care Farms, we are working with over 70 children and young people who join us from one half day per week to three full days per week.

Photo: Lakeside Care Farm, Dean Sherwin

Our Care Farms show how contact with nature has a powerful role to play in helping those with mental ill-health, autism, social and communication difficulties, those in need of emotional support and those who, for whatever reason, struggle in a school setting.

Photo: Pig, Sammy Millard-Powell

Photo: Sensory garden, Sammy Millard-Powell

The team at the Care Farms offer students supervised therapeutic activities in nature conservation, farming, horticulture, forest school and animal care. These activities help students to cope with emotional challenges, and build their confidence, self-esteem, independence and skill set to prepare them for their next steps at a pace that suits them. Feedback from the farms We love hearing about the positive impact the Care Farms has on our students. Here is just some of the wonderful feedback that has been shared with us this year:

“I would say The Willows is making my confidence better.” Student

“I have been so impressed by the package of support that is being offered and the quality and understanding of the importance of key relationships in promoting a sense of safety and trust, which is the key to recovery.” Mental health professional

“Thank you so much for all everyone has done for A. Without the farm, I think his situation would have been very different. The farm has helped him tremendously, it has built his self-esteem, reduced his anxiety, mental health and improved his overall wellbeing. The farms are a huge asset to Wiltshire and the children who are able to access it are so lucky to have such wonderful places to go to.” Mother

Find out more about the important work of our Care Farms at: www.wiltshirewildlife.org/care-farms

Photo: Staff and student at Lakeside Care Farm, Dean Sherwin