Pathways Care Farm Manager
Geoff Stevens is the founder and director of Pathways Care Farm charity. As part of his role as manager he fundraises, leads the staff and volunteer team, oversees site development and the welfare of farm workers, service users, and animals.
Summary
- A care farm is exactly the same as farm but, instead of providing a living for a farmer, it seeks to improve the well-being of vulnerable people through farming.
- Pathways Care Farm provide for those with mental health issues, learning difficulties, or those on a rehabilitative programme.
- There is a well-established and growing body of evidence that shows that spending time hands-on with plants and animals can make a noticeable difference to your well-being.
Sectors
Pathways Care Farm gives vulnerable people the opportunity to learn, re-build and grow through a range of hands-on farming activities. This might include planting, fruit, and vegetable cultivation, helping to restore a barn, animal husbandry or even the basics of machinery maintenance. Situated in the north of Lowestoft, Pathways is bringing a beautiful 13-acre site, which has been neglected for years, back into productive use. In short, creating an oasis of calm amidst the hustle and bustle of busy, troubled contemporary life.
Spending a day, or more, a week at Pathways can have an amazing effect on people’s well-being. No matter what farm experiences people have or have not had, all are welcome to share in guided activities, hard physical work, team work, problem solving and confidence building. People can also sit and contemplate, enjoying the natural habitat and walkways. Older people who may be isolated or lonely can enjoy companionship while participating in appropriate activities on and about the farm.
Our co-workers may be vulnerable, have special needs, be recovering from a mental health illness or be in need of some ‘time-out’ – they all come from a variety of backgrounds and perhaps need some therapy, to learn a new skill, be part of their day care or a mixture all mainly in the great outdoors.
We focus on what people can do, not what they cannot and encourage them gradually to stretch themselves and achieve pride in success.
Location
Pathways Care Farm Manager
Pathways Care Farm gives vulnerable people the opportunity to learn, re-build and grow through a range of hands-on farming activities....