Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, recently visited Ballicherry Care Farm to try and better understand what they do and to learn more about Care Farming Scotland, which is the national umbrella group, supporting and promoting care farming in Scotland.

Care farms provide health, social or educational care services for a wide range of vulnerable groups of folk, including children and adults (some with autism), as well as those with mental health problems, people with substance misuse issues, disaffected youth, and those on probation.

Commenting on this, Mr Thompson said,

"It was great to get the chance to meet and pick the brain of Caroline Matheson, who is a Development Consultant with Care Farming Scotland.

She was able to relay stories of those who have benefitted from their visit to the farm and experiencing the livestock environment.

In partnership with the farmer or other land manager, care farming assists primarily disadvantaged people to gain confidence and skills by giving them an opportunity to work on the land, which is fantastic".

Dave went on,

"If you are interested in knowing more, I commend Care Farming Scotland's Workshop on Social Farming and Crofting, which will take place on Thursday the 19th of February at the Glachbeg Croft Education Centre (10.00am – 3.00pm), North Kessock, where the concept of social farming/crofting as a potential new social service for rural Scotland, will be explored".

Notes:

The benefits of combining care of the land with care of people in remote and rural areas will be explored at a workshop near Inverness on Thursday 19th February. The event is organised by Care Farming Scotland and will include speakers from Care Farming Scotland, the Scottish Crofting Federation and the Social Farming Across Borders project in Ireland.

The workshop will give farmers, crofters public sector agencies, charities and others who provide or commission services an opportunity to find out more about the opportunities care farming may offer.

General Information:

http://www.carefarmingscotland.org.uk/care-farming-workshop-will-hear-about-experience-from-ireland/