Countrymen UK Network

Countrymen UK - Central

Countrymen UK is the central contact for the Network.

Email: [email protected]
Website: countrymenuk.org
Facebook: Countrymen UK Network
Twitter: @countrymenuk1

Countrymen UK is a registered charity.

Charity Registration No: 1184921

With help from the Lottery Community Fund, other farms were set up across the country and many continue to operate as part of the network

Start a Countrymen UK Group

countrymen mucking out photo

Countrymen enjoying being back on the farm

Start a Countrymen UK Group

If you are a Care Farm or similar organisation, perhaps you could start a Countrymen UK facility and benefit your community by providing this effective and much needed service. Alternatively,

Join a group near you

If you are interested in becoming a member of a Countrymen UK Group, or if you are caring for someone who would benefit from being a member, contact one of the Countrymen UK Groups near you.

Countrymen UK - Central

Countrymen UK is the central contact for the Network.

Email: [email protected]
Website: countrymenuk.org
Facebook: Countrymen UK Network
Twitter: @countrymenuk1

Countrymen UK is a registered charity.

Charity Registration No: 1184921

Growing Nationally

The Lottery was so impressed by what was happening at the Countrymen’s Club in Dorset that it made a new three-year funding package available in 2017, but this was for a different purpose. The idea was now to take the model that had been developed in Dorset and to spread it to other care farms and gardens around the UK.

Part of the funding requirements was that a series of targets had to be achieved during the course of the project. One of the most important targets was to recruit ten other care farms in the UK and to provide training and support to them as they grew their own Countrymen UK Groups.

By the end of Year 2, the recruitment target had been met. Twelve farms, from Cornwall to the Scottish Highlands had signed up to the Countrymen UK model and other farms were put onto a waiting list.

As part of the Countrymen UK Project, the University of Essex was commissioned to carry out a monitoring and evaluation assignment to determine the positive impacts of the project. The university’s report is due to be published in December 2020.

countrymen uk locations map

Buchan Community Farm

1 of 10

Meadow Well Connected, North Shields

2 of 10

Beckside care Farm, Ashbourne

3 of 10

Animal Antics, North Marston

4 of 10

Road Farm, Great Missenden

5 of 10

Sunflower Community Farm, Ipswich

6 of 10

Ryland Farm, Dorset.

Countrymen UK HQ

7 of 10

Futures Farm, Woolacombe

8 of 10

Apple Blossom Care Farm, Powys

9 of 10

Merryhue Farm, Callington

10 of 10

click on the circles to navigate to that farm

Cornwall

merryhue farm

The Countrymen Club
Merryhue Farm
Callington

sheep

We are situated on our own tranquil farm in the Cornish countryside.

We use green space eco therapies to help tackle issues and challenges and support the concept of community participation and civic responsibility.

Much of our work is delivered through helping with community projects.

"Standing at a gate with a mug of hot tea, with another ex-farmer, discussing the cattle that are no more than a few feet away from us… it’s something I thought would never happen again. The weather doesn’t matter."
Adam R
Countrymen UK Member, Countrymen UK

Dorset

The Countrymen Club
Rylands Farm,
Dorset

Rylands Farm, near Sherborne in Dorset is home to the first Countrymen UK Group and provides a range of services and activities to men with long-term health and social conditions and to their family carers.

Activities for the men include farming, horticulture, crafts and leisure activities.

Devon

futures farm

The Countrymen Club

Futures Farm,

Woolacombe

marigold

Increased motivation, health and wellbeing are all benefits to be gained from working with animals in the great outdoors and Futures Farm can provide this for you.

We can work with you to help identify specific needs and create a personalised programme.

“There is now compelling evidence to show that contact with nature and the outdoors improves physical health and mental wellbeing.”
Alan law
Chief Strategy and Reform Officer, Natural England

Bucks (North Marston)

animal antics

The Countrymen Club

Animal Antiks, Manor Farm,

North Marston

animal antics

We are part of the Countrymen UK Network, with the aim of setting up a club for men with long-term health or social challenges, including Parkinson’s, Dementia, Isolation, etc.

It’s an opportunity to come along to the farm, get involved in farm-related activities, work with the animals or simply take time to chat with like-minded men.

Bucks (Great Missenden)

road farm

The Countrymen Club

Road Farm Countryways

Great Missenden

road farm

We run a regular Countrymen’s Club for men aged 55+ who have an affinity with farms, gardens and the outdoors through their previous work, leisure activities, or simply through a general love of the countryside.

We help men reap the health and wellbeing benefits of working with animals and nature, alongside other like-minded people.

“This project has shown significant improvements for men in their mental health, physical wellbeing and cognition. All too often, older men in rural communities, especially those who have retired from agricultural occupations, face loneliness and isolation.

Not only does Countrymen UK provide these men with new opportunities to socialise, it enables them to use the skills they have learned throughout their lives, contribute to the farm, and help teach others.”
Dr Andrew Mayers
Principle Academic, Specialising in Mental Health, Bournemouth University

Suffolk

sunflower community care

The Countrymen Club

Sunflower Community Care Farm,

Ipswich

sinflower community care

We believe that all men should have the opportunity to participate in healthy, active and social activities in a safe and supported countryside or farm environment to the benefit of their physical and mental wellbeing.

Birmingham

balsall heath care farm

The Countrymen Club

Balsall Heath Care Farm,

Birmingham

balsall heath care farm

Our farm is an inner-city oasis providing local people with access to animals that they otherwise might not see. It is a valued community asset in Balsall Heath. We are in the process of establishing a Countrymen UK Group for men with long-term health and wellbeing challenges.

Contact us for more information.

"I was depressed and isolated. I missed the life I once had in the countryside and had little contact with people outside my family. That’s all changed now. I love being outside on the farm. It brings back memories. It’s become a new adventure for me – a healthy adventure, and I’m surrounded by people who share my interests."
Bob J
Countrymen UK Member, Countrymen UK

Derbyshire

beckside care farm

The Countrymen Club

Beckside care Farm,

Ashbourne

beckside care farm

Set in 25 acres of rolling Derbyshire countryside close to Ashbourne (the Gateway to The Derbyshire Dales)

Beckside is a welcoming and friendly small holding, ideal for people to reap the health and wellbeing benefits of working with animals and nature.

North Shields

The Countrymen Club
Meadow Well Connected
North Shields

meadow well

Meadow Well Connected sits at the heart of our community and has been providing garden-based support, activities and laughter for over 25 years.

“Our aim is to offer person-centred opportunities that enable people to engage in activities and enhance their wellbeing by stimulating both mind and body. The support of the BIG Lottery Fund and the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation will help us to expand the network of Countrymen UK Groups to other areas.

We would like to hear from farms who want to set up a Countrymen UK Social Franchise, especially those who already have experience of delivering services to the community”
Julie Plumley
Founder of Future Roots and Countrymen UK

Scotland (Aberdeenshire)

buchan community farm

The Countrymen Club

Buchan Community Farm, Maud,

Peterhead

buchan farm

Buchan Community Farm offers a unique service for the area, providing a safe, peaceful and relaxing environment for the people we support.

Working with horses, small animals and horticulture in a therapeutic way, people can experience country life whilst at the same time improve their well-being, health and happiness.

Scotland (Morayshire)

touchdown

The Countrymen Club

Touchdown Memorial Home for Horses,

Keith

touchdown

Touchdown Memorial Home for Horses is a charity that provides rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming for horses and ponies in need.

As part of the Countrymen UK Network, we run sessions for men with long-term health conditions and interest in rural life, whatever their mobility or cognitive levels may be.

Wales (Powys)

apple blossom farm

The Countrymen Club

Apple Blossom Care Farm,
Builth Wells, Powys

apple blossom farm

Apple Blossom Care Farm is a farm-based day centre for adults of all ages. Being surrounded with land, nature and animals through farm-related activities is proven to help improve health and wellbeing.

As part of the Countrymen UK Network, we encourage men with long-term health and social challenges to become involved in our activities.

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