Countrymen UK
What we do
Our farm and countryside environments help to meet the challenges being faced by men who find themselves isolated because of deteriorating physical or mental health or changing social circumstances. Conditions may include:
Dementia, Parkinson’s, Stroke, Isolation, Injuries, Anxiety, Depression, Post Traumatic Stress, Chronic Pain, Cancer, Heart & Lung Conditions and others.
Learn more about us from our recently produced video, which you can view on YouTube
We were recently featured on BBC Escape to the Country you catch watch it on BBC IPlayer.
Vacancy
Chief Operating Officer – Countrymen UK 21 Hours per Week Fixed Term Contract 2 years
We are looking for a Chief Operating Officer who will be able to progress the sustainability of the club whilst maintaining its core values and ethos.
Full details of the position are available on the Dorset For You Jobsite
For an informal discussion about the role please contact:
Julie Plumley – Trustee, on 01963 210789
Please read the Job Description and Person Specification before completing an application.
Closing Date for applications is 5.00pm the 13th, October 2023
What is happening right now?
Video insights
Our new video (under 7 minutes), is aimed at giving everyone additional insights into what Countrymen UK does, and why we do it. It really is worth a few moments to view the video on YouTube
Our Covid Outreach Initiative
With some funding from Countrymen UK, this has been operating nationally with the farms in the Countrymen UK Network since April and will be continuing at varying levels throughout the Network for the foreseeable future.
The objective was for the Network to make contact with organisations and individuals in their areas and to provide support services and activity-based stimulation to men with long-term health conditions and their family carers. This has included keeping in touch with phone calls, setting up web pages, distributing newsletters and video material and donating food, activity packs and other essentials to men and their family carers.
The Countrymen UK Team
Our Vision
That every man has the opportunity to access outdoor spaces daily… to be able to use their skills despite health conditions… to beat isolation by making new friends and by working and socialising positively with their peers.
The Countrymen UK Network
Countrymen UK (CUK) now has a growing network of care farms and gardens, stretching from the south of England to the north of Scotland. If you’d like to be put in touch, or if you’d like to be part of the CUK Network, please get in touch.
Challenges
The CUK Network is meeting the challenges being faced by men who find themselves isolated because of deteriorating physical or mental health, or changing social conditions, whether they are from rural or urban areas.
Affinity
The men we support normally have an affinity with farms, gardens or other outdoor environments through their previous work, leisure activities or just a love of the countryside.
Positive impact
Our slogan, “Getting back to being you” reflects our belief that getting back to farm, garden, countryside environments and green spaces, overcomes isolation and has a positive impact on physical health and mental wellbeing.
“It’s great for Countrymen and it’s great for their Family Carers.”
How we can help you
If you would like to Join a Countrymen UK Group
- We can help you find a local Countrymen UK Group close to home
- We can also help you to get the quality of service you would expect.
If you would like to start a Countrymen UK Group
- We can help you establish and develop your group
- We’ll provide the necessary support and training
- We can help you to provide the range of quality services and activities that make a Countrymen UK Group the success it deserves to be.
A Countryman and Carer speak out
Tom R., a Countrymen Group member, says;
“Being back on a farm with the animals, the smells and the feel of familiar things is all I ever wanted… and meeting up with new friends from similar backgrounds is a massive bonus.
If there wasn’t a Countrymen Group, I’d hate to think what I’d be doing today or what my life would be like without this.”
Jenny P., a Family Carer, says;
“The Countrymen Group provides me with respite but it has also changed my relationship with Robert. He is outdoors and getting involved in what was once his daily life, as well as some new interests.
We now have new things to talk about and I know that he’s being given the chance to do things he thought were only in his past. I also get to rest and relax, knowing he’s in a safe and stimulating place.”
Take a look at our leaflet
Click on the cover image to open our leaflet
Cymru fersiwn
Gallwch hefyd lawrlwytho fersiwn o’r pamffled hwn yn Gymraeg.
You can also download a version of this brochure in Welsh.
