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Countrymen UK

Who we are

Countrymen UK is a small charity based on a farm near Sherborne in Dorset. It provides a safe farm and countryside environment which, with help, men can access. Its aim is to support men of all ages to meet the challenges being faced by those who find themselves isolated due to deteriorating physical or mental health or changing social circumstances.

Amongst others, conditions may include: Dementia, Parkinson’s, Chronic Pain, Depression, Anxiety, and particularly loneliness, or a loss of independence.

Typically, the men involved may have worked in farming, horticulture or forestry but equally they may simply have an affinity with the countryside.

What we do

The club is very much about what the men can do, not what they can’t. By attending the farm the men have the opportunity to experience the many benefits of being outside and they are encouraged to be as active as their mobility will allow. Equally importantly we also provide a carers’ group for partners and families.

The club is set out to offer something very different to traditional day centres, in that it offers the things that are very often taken away. The men are involved in the sensory input of the work environment that farming gives and they do all sorts of tasks such as feeding the animals, making things out of wood in the workshop, tending a small allotment and polytunnel, basic maintenance and repairs arising on the farm and in the garden, and, importantly, they benefit from access to the outdoors.

Our aims

The difference we want for the men is to try to ensure that rather than being defined by their illness or incapacity, they are helped and encouraged to regain their purpose, with an element of independence that may otherwise be denied them. 

Above all else we want to give them and those who look after them a reason to smile again.

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

The Countrymen UK Team

Cross Country Walk – Roger Sewill and Scarlet

A 200-mile multi-day cross-country walk by Roger Sewill and his horse, Scarlet, a native Dales Pony. Together they are journeying from Surrey to Countrymen’s Dorset base at Rylands.

Read all about it in “A Country Journey One man and his horse” in our blogs

roger sewill and scarlet

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.

Our latest updates and news

blue flowers

Spring Newsletter 2024

Welcome to our Spring Newsletter! We have introduced a few new features over the past few months including: A WhatsApp group for the staff and volunteers which has proved successful in keeping

Read More »

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

If you would like to start a Countrymen UK Group

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.

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