Catch the green care wave

Stephen Sellers is the founder of FarmBuddies, an independent not-for-profit social enterprise set up in 2008 to expand the ethos of ‘Social Farming’. Here he explains what that is and why it’s so important

Although I live in southern England now, I maintain strong links with Jersey after ten enjoyable years working in the Island. Also, my wife, Mary, was born in the Island and so visits are usually catching up with family and friends as well as encouraging Social Farming.

Our organisation supports interested farmers /landowners with Social Farming start-ups as well as facilitating visits to the sites by accompanied individuals. This gives young people and adults with different abilities and defined needs, such as autism, an opportunity to get involved in meaningful work as a team with others to improve wellbeing. The Social Farming (SF) concept is sometimes known as Care Farming, and is part of a wider movement called 'Green Care'.

Green Care is defined by the Green Care Coalition as ‘structured therapy or treatment programmes that take place in natural surroundings and which recognise the instinctive connection between nature and health.’ Over the last decade, the concept has become widely accepted across the UK and Europe. It offers a broader range of services anchored in the community to meet the diverse needs of individuals rather than a one-track solution. Whilst not appropriate for everyone, it has a high level of inclusivity for most mild or moderate special needs covering ages 9-90.

Having seen for myself many times the remarkable benefits of this route to a better quality of life, I am left in no doubt the concept can help any community. Jersey faces similar social, health and education issues as the UK and elsewhere – wellbeing concerns, sometimes compounded by the use of medication or other conventional solutions that are sadly not working well enough or even making matters worse! Fortunately, the Island has a wealth of suitable farms and other country sites to develop GC opportunities.

For me, one of the most exciting aspects of SF is not that such an essentially simple activity works (as I lived on a farm until I was 21) but that a remarkable improvement in wellbeing can occur so rapidly.

A programme of 12 day visits regularly elicits endorsements from parents, carers and teachers who can scarcely believe the degree of beneficial change.

The UK government has acknowledged its efficacy and provided financial support for the national administrator of Green Care, namely Social Farms & Gardens. It also supports some SF enterprises direct. Continuing support is currently under ‘active consideration’ as the new national Environment, Land Management Scheme takes shape. The NHS acknowledges the potential benefits and has recently started to provide routine social prescriptions and signposting to GC sites.

In Jersey over the last five years, it has been pleasing to see the GC provision expanding. FarmBuddies has initiated one successful pilot SF programme for young people in the Island and has supported two other enterprise startups. A choice now exists for people of all ages and needs. Here are some examples we have come across:

Social Farming at Bramble Social Farm in St Mary, the Farm School Initiative in St Martin, Chestnut Farm Wellbeing Centre in St Brelade, and Birdsong Garden in St Ouen.

Social Horticultural at Grow Jersey in St John, The Salvation Army’s Bumblebee Field in St Martin, Jersey Trees for Life in their field in St Clement and Community Food Wood at Brook Farm in St Saviour.

Visitors to sites vary; they could be regular volunteers, casual community drop-ins, or anyone with individual defined needs such as a young person with difficulties at school or an older person with early onset dementia.

Each site is different and routines for participants will vary, with all activities customised and supervised according to age, interests and ability. Check place availability in advance with the organisers and on your introductory visit ask about their safeguarding provisions. Sites with high resources and where close participant supervision is needed will likely make a daily attendance charge to help meet staff time supervising, animal and other costs. Further widening of the variety of different GC sites in the Island would be advantageous to better cater for the broadest cross-section of interests and needs of all individuals, which will optimise consistently beneficial outcomes. So, if you own or rent a farm, smallholding or other well-sited green space, you might consider providing a part-time GC service – this can be for as little as 12 days a year.

If you have any Green Care or Social Farming questions visit our website below or call without obligation Stephen on 01420 538793.

There is free access to 5 Minute Guides on Social Farming for parents and farmers/landowners on www.farmbuddies.org.uk and more information on all Green Care matters on www.farmgarden.org.uk.

Fireplace, Stove & Range Cooker Specialists

From design to installation we o er a comprehensive personal service tailor made to our customers’ individual requirements supported by an experienced, dedicated team of HETAS registered engineers.

Visit our showroom:

La Rue d’Olive, St. Mary, JE3 3BJ T: 01534 483921 E: info@vljfireplaces.co.uk