In the picturesque Surrey Hills, a unique initiative is taking place at Pondtail Farm, where young people are engaging in various farm activities to improve their mental health. This project, known as the Care Farm initiative, allows participants to assist with tasks such as herding cows and constructing animal pens. Katie Daw, the Care Farm coordinator for the Surrey Hills Society, emphasizes that this program is designed to enhance the confidence and overall well-being of young individuals while simultaneously alleviating anxiety.

Participants in the program have reported significant improvements in their mental health. For instance, a 17-year-old named Ronnie expressed that working on the farm feels "like heaven on earth." Ms. Daw noted that many young people involved in the project are experiencing better sleep patterns, improved appetite, and a renewed desire to leave their homes, which can be a challenge for those struggling with mental health issues. The Care Farm project is open to anyone facing mental health difficulties, providing them with an opportunity to engage in meaningful work on a farm.

The hands-on experience offered by the Care Farm project has proven to be transformative for many participants. Ronnie shared that being surrounded by nature and animals has significantly uplifted her mood. Similarly, 16-year-old Peter found peace on the farm, stating that it allows him to escape from everyday stressors. Nellie Budd, a representative from Pondtail Farm, has observed noticeable changes in the young people, particularly in their confidence levels around animals. She recounted how some participants who were initially hesitant to approach animals have since become comfortable and engaged.

The positive impact of the Care Farm project extends beyond the individual participants; it also benefits their families and caregivers. The experiences gained at the farm can inspire young people to explore potential career paths in agriculture. For example, 14-year-old Thea has gained admission to an agricultural college to study horticulture, attributing her newfound confidence to the Care Farm initiative. Another participant, 17-year-old Bethany, enjoys spending time with the farm animals, highlighting the program's role in encouraging outdoor activity and connection with nature.

This pilot scheme has received substantial support, including a funding award of £65,900 from the Mental Health Investment Fund and the Surrey Hills Farming in Protected Landscapes program. The Care Farm project exemplifies how engaging with nature and animals can provide significant mental health benefits for young people, fostering a sense of community and personal growth. As the initiative continues to develop, it holds the potential to make a lasting difference in the lives of many young individuals facing mental health challenges.

Original news source: Helping on the farm reaps mental health benefits (BBC)

– CHARADES
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Each group will take turns acting out different activities related to the Care Farm initiative (e.g., herding cows, planting seeds, feeding animals) without speaking. The other groups will guess what the activity is. This will help reinforce vocabulary related to farming and mental health.
– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Create a set of statements based on the article (e.g., "Engaging with nature can improve mental health"). Students will move around the classroom and ask their classmates if they agree or disagree with each statement, tallying the results. Afterward, they will discuss the results as a class, encouraging expression of opinions and justifications.
– MIND MAP
Instructions: In pairs, students will create a mind map that visualizes the key concepts from the article, including the benefits of the Care Farm initiative, the activities involved, and the impact on participants. They will then present their mind maps to the class, fostering discussion and collaboration.
– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: Ask students to come up with catchy headlines for the article that capture its essence and main themes. They can work individually or in small groups. After creating their headlines, they will share them with the class, encouraging creativity and summarization skills.
– PAS THE STORY
Instructions: Start with a brief summary of the article and then pass a ball around the classroom. The student holding the ball must add one sentence to continue the story based on the Care Farm initiative. This activity encourages creativity, listening skills, and collaborative storytelling while staying on topic.

In the picturesque Surrey Hills, a unique initiative is taking place at Pondtail Farm, where young ? are engaging in ? farm ? to improve their mental health. This project, known as the Care Farm initiative, allows ? to assist with tasks such as herding cows and constructing animal pens. Katie Daw, the Care Farm coordinator for the Surrey Hills Society, emphasizes that this program is designed to enhance the confidence and overall well-being of young individuals while simultaneously alleviating anxiety. Participants in the program have reported significant improvements in their mental health. For instance, a 17-year-old named Ronnie expressed that working on the farm feels "like heaven on earth." Ms. Daw noted that many ? people involved in the project are experiencing better sleep patterns, improved appetite, and a renewed desire to ? their homes, which can be a challenge for those struggling with mental health issues. The Care Farm project is open to anyone facing mental health difficulties, providing them with an ? to engage in meaningful work on a farm. The hands-on experience offered by the Care Farm project has proven to be transformative for many participants. Ronnie shared that being surrounded by nature and animals has significantly uplifted her mood. Similarly, 16-year-old Peter found peace on the farm, stating that it allows him to ? from everyday stressors. Nellie Budd, a representative from Pondtail Farm, has observed noticeable changes in the young people, particularly in their confidence levels around animals. She ? how some participants who were initially hesitant to approach animals have since become comfortable and engaged. The positive impact of the Care Farm project extends beyond the ? participants; it also benefits their families and caregivers. The experiences gained at the farm can inspire young people to explore potential ? paths in agriculture. For example, 14-year-old Thea has gained admission to an agricultural ? to study horticulture, attributing her newfound confidence to the Care Farm initiative. Another participant, 17-year-old Bethany, enjoys spending time with the farm animals, ? the program's role in encouraging outdoor activity and connection with nature. This pilot scheme has received substantial support, including a funding award of £65,900 from the Mental Health ? Fund and the Surrey Hills Farming in Protected Landscapes program. The Care Farm project exemplifies how engaging with nature and animals can provide significant ? health benefits for young people, fostering a sense of community and personal growth. As the ? continues to develop, it holds the potential to make a lasting difference in the lives of many young individuals facing mental health challenges.

1. What is a unique experience you have had that positively impacted your mental health?
2. How would you feel if you had the opportunity to work on a farm as part of a mental health initiative?
3. Do you think spending time in nature can significantly improve mental health? Why or why not?
4. What is a common activity you engage in that helps alleviate your stress or anxiety?
5. How do you believe animals can influence our emotional well-being?
6. Do you like the idea of hands-on learning experiences, such as working on a farm? Why or why not?
7. How would you feel if you were initially hesitant about something but later found it to be beneficial, like the participants in the Care Farm project?
8. Do you think programs like the Care Farm initiative should be more widely available? Why or why not?
9. What is a way that you connect with nature, and how does it make you feel?
10. How important is it for young people to have opportunities to explore different career paths, such as agriculture?
11. Do you believe that community support plays a crucial role in improving mental health? Why or why not?
12. What is a significant change you have experienced in your life that has positively affected your confidence?
13. How would you feel if you were able to help others improve their mental health through shared activities?
14. Do you think outdoor activities should be incorporated into mental health treatment plans? Why or why not?
15. What is a personal goal you have that could be inspired by experiences similar to those of the participants in the Care Farm project?

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