Social farming at its heart is a very simple idea about bringing together two groups in society.Ā We have huge untapped assets in every corner of rural Ireland, namely farmers and farm families with skills and life experience to share, who want to give something back, who usually live and work in beautiful places where animals, plants, woodland and restorative landscapes are naturally present, and where there are always activities and projects to be done, many of which are best and most enjoyably done in small groups. We also have people with a range of needs and challenges in life who benefit hugely from spending time in nature and working with plants or animals and from the kind of meaningful and purposeful activities found on farms, and who want to have an opportunity to make real friendships and connections in their own communities. Social farming brings these two groups together and in a safe, enjoyable and ordinary way which is mutually beneficial with wider societal benefits including breaking down barriers between people, bringing life and vitality to farms and rural areas and helping to sustain a socially valuable way of life. The importance of human connection has never been more apparent to us than now ā it is that human connection which is at the heart of the Social Farming experience.
āI am so positive about it (social farming), it is a fantastic initiative.Ā I can’t think of any negatives from a student point of view… Anecdotally, I’ve spoken to some of the parents and they would say it’s just the best thing, it’s the highlight of the week for the kids.ā
– Leaving Cert Applied Programme Coordinator
āThere is great fulfilment and satisfaction in seeing how the participants grow in confidence over the time they are here. Regardless of how nervous they are starting off. The interaction with the animals is key, I think it brings out the best in all of us.ā
Social Farmer, Co. Galway
āI have never seen them go on a work experience where they became so involved with people, where they are so relaxed and at home.ā
– SICAP Manager
āOne participant told me āIāve told you more crap about my life in ten weeks than Iāve told any psychologist in ten yearsā.ā
Social Farmer, Co. Mayo
āI think it had more of an impact on us as a family than we thought at the start, it had more of an impact than I might have expected for the lads as well. It’s been great for the little fella [farmerās son], well having people coming and going, new people. The lads will bring him out oranges every week because he loves oranges. I think that the family thing is goodā¦. normal life. You’re not hiding anything, you are sharing your house and your space and your food.ā
Social Farmer, Co. Wexford
āIt was an amazing experience…We got to know each other, I treated them with respect and they treated me with respect.Ā There was no boss in the group, we just did our thing and we had a lot of fun.Ā I would say I got more out of it than the four lads.Ā It taught me how to relax and take things easier as well.”
Social Farmer, Co. Limerick
“The service users have benefited from it and that was the ultimate goal… it was for them to benefit, it wasn’t for the HSE, it wasn’t for me, it wasn’t for LEADER or the social farming network, it was for the users.”
Social Farmer, Co. Cork
āā¦and like J, he really enjoys being involved in that kind of workā¦. Rather than going into a day centre and doing yoga and the like, he is culturally more inclined towards the outdoors, being with other men and stuff like that.ā
Health Professional, Mental Health Services
āThis is our job, getting people involved in their local community. This is what is great about social farming for them. Some of the people they have met had said they had never heard about our centre in C and would love to visit so itās a two-way friendshipā¦.They are working with run of the mill people and thatās what fantastic for us.ā
Support Worker, Intellectual Disability Services
āPeople are not in a classroom or a room where they are looking at four walls and feel that they have to listen or look at something on a projector. They are out and about and it’s good for the mind and the body engaging and benefiting in the farming activity.ā
Support Worker, Long term Unemployed
Increased sense of motivation and purpose which can be applied to other areas of life such as social life or self-care or education or job-seeking
āYeah my mum said that she noticed a difference and I’m speaking up and I’m not sitting quiet all the time because I used to sit in my room all the time and now I’m down the stairs with the rest of themā¦. she’s sees a big difference in it.ā
Improved physical fitness and sense of well-being and vitality
“I think he is a changed man, physically he has lost a lot of weight and he has a much healthier diet.Ā He is working harder outside so he needs more good food.” – Service Provider
Gaining a different perspective on life and getting a break from institutional or home life
āIt’s peaceful… and you learn a lot of new things but you are outside and you’re not stuck in the classroom and people don’t like thatā¦ā¦. and time flies because you’reĀ working so you’re doing something.ā
The opportunity to develop new interests, such as in animal care or the environment or cooking
āI learnt how to make a loyā¦. a loy is a traditional Irish spadeā¦. that’s one thing I definitely learnt but it’s not the only thing. We learnt all sorts of stuff, operating the timber machine which I never did before and we made up that wicker bag which I never did before ā¦. I learnt what an orchid looks like. He [the farmer] introduced me to horses and cowsā¦.ā
āI find it exciting because Iām interested in it.Ā I find it very therapeutic, doing up the cart was therapeutic, painting and sanding and learning about the cattle and learning about the ivy and very informal you know, and I have a good interest in it and emā¦ Iāve told a lot of people about it already.ā
The opportunity to learn lots of new things and to develop new skills outside in nature rather than in a classroom
āThereās a good bit of freedom and youāre out of the house and youāre learning things. Youāre not in school but youāre still learning thingsā¦. Itās easier to focus when youāre out doing the stuff rather than being in class just sitting thereā¦ā¦. itās practical and youāre learning how to do it and once youāve done itās going to stick in youā.
A chance to carry out meaningful activities alongside other people and to achieve something concrete every day
āItās a very positive place to be. It makes you feel good about yourself, you feel a sense of achievement and that type of thing. When you finish the job, you can you see the fruits of your labour like in the polytunnel we can have a head of lettuce to bring home with us and stuff like that.ā
The opportunity to spend time in nature, in the fresh air, working with animals and plants
Ā āOut here itās a lovely bright day and itās totally mind opening. You see the lake you see the mountains, the animal, the sky and everything around is positiveā¦. there is no negativity here at all. Even if it rains itās not negative we have to have it, itās all part of the cycle.
Improved social connections and a sense of confidence in being around other people
āIt was very positive to meet people, especially different peopleā¦ it brought us together andĀ we worked get well together.āĀ
Fun, enjoyment and happiness from spending time with the farmer and the other participants
āI probably do more laughing here than I would in a week away from hereā¦..Ā [the farmer]Ā Ā is very funny and he has a lot of funny storiesā¦.. I felt more encouraged to try and get that part of me across.ā
āOne participant told me āIāve told you more crap about my life in ten weeks than Iāve told any psychologist in ten yearsā.ā
Social farmer, Co. MayoĀ
āIt think that thereās something very homely about the supportā¦itās very casual and there are no airs and graces and people feel like they fit right in.Ā Itās very comfortable and they donāt feel that they need to be somebody else and they canĀ sayĀ whatever they want and they can dress whatever way they want.ā
Service workerĀ
āEspecially now since weāre trying to meet all this New Directions Policyā¦for the people we serve itās not all about lovely buildings and lovely programmes, itās about exploring this type of thing that works for people and thatās what works really, and as you have seem today the smiles on theĀ ladsĀ faces.Ā You know itās working for them because if it wasnāt working it would be a different atmosphereā
Service workerĀ
āOut here itās a lovely bright day and itās totally mind opening.Ā You see the lake you see the mountains the animals and the sky and everything around is positiveā¦ there is no negativity here at all.Ā Even if it rains itās not negative we have to have it, itās all part of the cycle.ā
Mental HealthĀ participantĀ
āThereās a good bit of freedom and youāre out of the house and youāre learning things.Ā Youāre not in school but your still learning thingsā¦ Itās easier to focus when youāre out doing the stuff rather than being in a class just sitting there.ā
Long term unemployedĀ participantĀ
āItās helped me get my confidence back, just from working with other people, doing different things, cutting timber, working with cattle, fencing.ā
Mental Health participant
āMy social farming experience has been uplifting. To be able toĀ provide the space where participants can experience the healingĀ properties of nature is great. To see the smiles on their faces andĀ hear the laughter and watch the contented look on the faces atĀ the end of the day lets you know that social farming is workingā
Tommy Earley, , Co. Leitrim
āIt was an amazing experienceā¦ We got to know each other I treated themĀ with respect and they treated me with respect.
There was no boss in the group, weĀ just did our thing and we had a lot of fun. It taught me to relax and take thingsĀ easier as well.ā