Depden Care Farm is delighted to announce the official opening of its new Small Animal House, marked by a special visit from The Right Reverend Martin Seeley, Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich.
The Depden Care Farm provides learning and training opportunities in agriculture, horticulture and environmental projects for adults with additional needs within a community which promotes personal transformation, accountability and integrity.
Bishop Martin, is a passionate supporter of farmers and farming in Suffolk. He is active in the House of Lords on farming and environmental issues and is President-elect of the Suffolk Agricultural Association. He marked the opening with a short prayer and cutting a ribbon. He was then given an inspiring tour of the new facilitator let by service users. The tour offered Bishop Martin first hand experience of the invaluable work being done at Depden Care Farm. Service users and staff shared their stories and experiences, highlighting the transformative power of the farm in enhancing physical and mental health, promoting social inclusion, and providing a supportive community for all its participants.
Bishop Martin said: “I have been listening to the story of this wonderful place. Where everyone - staff, volunteers and service users have worked together to create and wonderful sanctuary of healing and learning. A real sanctuary for the soul, mind and body.”
With the unveiling of the new Small Animal House, the farm extends its commitment to providing a nurturing environment for all enabling those with less mobility to interact with animals on a daily basis.
Depden Care Farm expresses its gratitude to Bishop Martin for his support and unwavering commitment to fostering a compassionate and caring community. The new Animal House is poised to further the farm’s mission of providing a safe and therapeutic space for individuals with additional needs.
Tim Freathy, Director of Depden Care Farm said: “People who are unsteady on their feet or who use walking aids find it a bit intimidating working with some of our larger farm animals. The small animal house now enables us to offer animal work to everyone. It's brilliant!”