Pathways Care Farm

Pathways Care Farm gives vulnerable people the opportunity to learn, re-build and grow through a range of hands-on farming activities. Pathways Care Farm was granted £16,340 from the Suffolk Police & Crime Commissioner’s Fund which was used to provide a relaxing and rejuvenating retreat for unpaid adult carers – an opportunity for them to relax and have time-out from their regular responsibilities. Carers can choose to participate in activities such as working with animals, growing and harvesting flowers and vegetables, arts & craft or woodwork.

The sessions provided the chance to talk with others who understand – a friendly listening ear if that was something they wanted. Over time, participants built resilience and confidence which helped them sustain their caring role by increasing their mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.

From a participant who gave up work 15 years earlier to care for her mum who lives with Alzheimer’s:

“I didn’t even know that this place existed until someone at the GP surgery mentioned it to me and suggested I made an enquiry. I have only ever worked in an office until I started looking after mum and then life became a repetitive round of housework, cooking, cleaning, shopping (one of the few trips out – but often having to stop her wandering away) and disturbed nights. I had never tried anything like this – especially mucking out donkeys!”