Care Farming - Magdalen leads the way

'Care Farming' is our phrase to describe the use of Magdalen Farm as a means of promoting both physical and mental health by close contact with animals, crops, woodlands and the environment - fast becoming an increasingly significant aspect of our work here at Magdalen Farm. We are delighted with a recent extremely popular recruit to our team - Jenny, a working cob, funded by generous donations from the Lloyd family and the CLA.

Our regular respite holidays for Young Carers are already well established. These are youngsters who look after parents with mental or physical difficulties or drink or drug dependence. Their 'Away from it All' time at Magdalen gives them a chance to leave their cares behind and be children. Often isolated at home, here they meet and make friends with others in a similar situation who can truly understand their experiences and needs.

Weekly eco-learning sessions for individual children with emotional and behavioural difficulties can be arranged. We also provide group or individual sessions for children and young adults with special needs and/or learning difficulties. The same applies with hands-on activities for children who are excluded, or at risk from exclusion from school.

The future holds enormous opportunities for Care Farming at Magdalen and we are already well on the way to achieving our aim which is to become a leading centre in this field of work in the South West of England. Our plans include the conversion of an old barn into a dedicated Care Farming Centre, which will enable us to widen the scope of our activities and - most importantly - greatly increase the number of people we are able to help.

To find out more please contact us.