Beetle Bank Social Farm
“Sharing is Caring!”
We’ve created a “friendly and safe place” to be together and help out on the farm. We find that many people with dementia want to be involved and help other people. People join our social farm for different reasons- some join us because they love being around animals. Other people come because they like being outdoors and working. Others enjoy gardening, growing fruit, vegetables or flowers. Socialising and having fun is sometimes the main motivation for coming to the farm too!
Beetle Bank Social Farm is based on a working farm on the outskirts of York, near Murton village. Our aims are to provide opportunities to be helpful and to be outdoors, whilst keeping active and having a good time together.
Here’s what some of our members have said about Beetle Bank Social Farm:
“We feed the pigs. “Pigs, I love em!” (Linda)
“We grow all our own veg” (Nigel)
“We like being helpful however we can…. It’s summit to do and I enjoy it” (Brian, group member)
“It gets me out the house and gives me something to do” (Nigel)
“I love it. That’s why I like coming here, its easy. When you get there you know what you’re doing” (Andy, group member) “Being here is better than … a big … I don’t know what! I love it here. Few people. Really enjoy it” (Sandra, group member)
Here’s what care partners and professionals have said about our social farm:
“He feels useful again…being out in the fresh air and doing physical work, like you’re actually working” (Sheryl: family care partner). “She’s like a different person. at home she doesn’t say anything” (Lisa: family care partner)
“Being outside in the open is valuable and actually working and being physically active is a key thing about the opportunity.” (Social Worker, York)
Beetle Bank Social Farm Case Studies
Read about Social Farming as a concept
Social Farming (often called ‘care farming’) is becoming better known in the UK. Social farming is widely used in places like Holland and Norway and can be defined as ‘the therapeutic use of traditional farming practices’ (Social Farms & Gardens). See this link to find out more about Social Farming: https://www.farmgarden.org.uk/services-and-support/publications-and-resources/care-farming-introduction
Link to Beetle Bank Social Farm’s website
To see our social farm website and find out more about Beetle Bank Social Farm, please click here:
https://www.beetlebanksocialfarm.org
