Countrymen UK

We provide work related activities to men who are unable to access the countryside independently to help them and their carers meet the challenges of isolation resulting from deteriorating physical or mental health

Vacancy: Director

Countrymen UK is a charity helping men overcome isolation through meaningful, farm-
based activities. As part of our growth, we have this new role to lead our Dorset project
and our future development.

The Director will be responsible for the planning and development of the Charity
including finances, reporting, marketing, fundraising and some line management. This is
predominantly an office-based role, 16hrs/week, £17/hr based at a farm near
Sherborne.

To apply: please see our website countrymenuk.org or email [email protected]
to obtain a copy of the job description and our application form.

Key Dates: Closing date: Sunday 7 th September 2026 (late applications may be
considered). Interview date: September second week

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.

With Heartfelt Thanks to Our Sponsors

We are deeply grateful to the organisations and groups whose generous support makes our work possible.

Our sincere thanks to Dorset National Landscape for their £2,000 grant towards a tramper and accessible pathways, helping us open up the outdoors to everyone.

We’d also like to thank Blandford Netball Team for their kind donation, Hall & Woodhouse for their generous support, and The Julia Rausing Trust for their donation.

Your generosity makes a real difference, and we couldn’t do this without you. Thank you.

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.

MP Visits Countrymen

Countrymen UK were delighted to have a visit from Edward Morello and the Lord Lieutenant this week at Countrymen UK. The Countrymen enjoyed the Harvest Festival showcasing the vegetables grown at the farm. Thank you to all the wives who baked wonderful cakes and the volunteers supporting the day.

Elaine said “Yesterday’s harvest celebration was a lovely event, thank you to everyone who contributed to make it so much fun”