The Farmers Mart Apr-May 2018 - Issue 56 | Page 37

• APR/MAY 2018 71839 - Townends Chartered Accountants - QUTR.pdf 1 11/04/2018 09:50:06 HALL FARM 37 C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Townends are pleased to be associated with Hallmark Farming Limited and wish Mark continued success for the future. 01405 763341 www.townends.com [email protected] Carlisle Street, Goole East Yorkshire, DN14 5DX. Also at York, Pontefract and Selby that they have. I asked Mark why he had Alpacas. He bought them 3 years ago being heartily sick of mowing the orchards! He came across Alpacas at the great Yorkshire show and was immediately taken. Since then they have bought a couple more, sold one and now have a breeding herd established. In future they may well start to sell some. The Alpacas are now an integral part of the newest diversification project at Hall farm. They are ideal as they have a very calm friendly nature and are not very strong. In June 2017 Mark and family embarked on their newest diversification project with all the usual Coulman interest and enthusi- asm. The project which was something that Mark had always wanted to do – establish a care farm. Mark has always believed in the power of animals and the natural environment to help people with special needs and behavioural problems. There is a growing demand for Care Farm’s now and strong evidence to show that nature based interventions in health and social care are efficient. The vision of the farm is to engage and empower young people and adults to real- ise their potential. Family expertise considerably aided the planning and start-up of the project , Martha’s hands on nursing and health skills along with the complexities of manage- ment, Hannah’s sociology degree also gave her insight into metal health as well as her all-important teaching skills and also Caitlin had insight into mental health problems her father being a mental health nurse. Not an inconsiderable group of skills to start the project. Coupled with that all important Coulman enthusiasm To coincide with the launch of the Care farm they participated in open farm Sun- day. Mark was quite nervous about how it might go, they were expecting about 100 people and 450 ! turned up The Care Farm covers a wide spectrum, catering for both adults and children with special needs and learning disabilities. Initially the Care farm was funded from the main farm and is now set up as a separate community business. Funding is a constant challenge with three key areas – Individuals paying fo r daily sessions – Per- sonal health Budgets and grant funding both public and private such as SSE Windfarms community fund. There are many potential funding streams available, however it is almost a full-time job seeking out and managing them. Mark’s experience in this field has proved invalua- ble, Caitlin has also become more and more involved in this area. During the past year the Care Farm has come on in leaps and bounds. Currently during school holidays, The care farm is open for visits by appointment, Monday to Friday 10-3, the Farm Club runs every Wednesday in school holidays, and every Thursday after school during term time. As well as this school trips are organised to the farm as well as 121 sessions for adults with educational and behavioural needs. School trips can always be linked to key learning programmes in their curriculum On the Farm children and adults can experience and see the working farm from seeing the crops in the field, interacting with pigs, seeing farm machinery in action, learn all about the equipment and of course the all-important trailer rides. There is a garden where they can learn about sowing seeds and potatoes and pick- ing vegetables, also about balanced diets and the process from field to fork. Both children and adults have really taken to the garden and love to work in it as for some this is their first real hands on experience. There are nature walks where children can discover all manner of wild flowers, insects and small animals. Children and adults can also get involved with land and forest management even down to building den’s etc The Alpacas are an integral part of the experience and because of their tempera- ment are ideal for people with behavioural problems as they have a very calming na- ture. Children have come to the farm abso- lutely petrified of animals and the alpacas have facilitated a breakthrough. Everyone who meets these wonderful creatures experiences the” feel good” factor. The Alpacas are also available for Trek- king, afternoon tea, kid’s parties, and even to join you at your wedding or function. Each experience includes having one of our handlers on hand to teach you all about these gentle creatures. The Alpaca Trek is an easy walk suitable for all ages and abilities, so perfect for the whole family! All the experiences can be tailored to suit and budget, particular need, or times just ask. For those a little nervous of the new ex- perience with alpacas the 20 plus chickens offer a great opportunity to do the daily egg collection and learn all about taking care of them. Mark,Caitlin, Hannah and their team of vol- unteer’s have really put the work in during the past year to fully establish the Care Farm and be able to deliver a quality experience for all. One particular success was at Christ- mas where a young box had been coming to the farm club for a number os sessions and now prefers the farm to his XBOX! Going forward Mark would like to see more and more schools use the farm and also pick up mainstream contracts for men- tal health services I asked about future plans as well as the continued development of the Care Farm. Mark is very keen to extend pig capacity and to have the machinery in greater use by getting involved in outside contract work including Baling. With such a strong,friendly dedicated team behind it Hall farm I’m sure, will con- tinue to develop and grow for many years to come.