Two family in Co Derry, in partnership with Rural Area Partnership in Derry (RAPID) Ltd, has embarked on a project to help change the lives of people living with disabilities in the Western Trust areas of Derry, Strabane and Omagh.
Gortilea Social Farm in Claudy along with Butterlope Farm in Plumbridge bring participants on to the farm to assist in the day to day activities of the farm including animal care, land management, maintaining accommodation, horticulture and all aspects of farm life.
Rosaleen Harkin, Western Trust Assistant Director Adult Learning Disability Services said: the Trust was delighted to support the SoFarm project and wished the two family farms every success in the future.
She added: “This Social Farming Project improves participants physical and mental health and develops their social skills as well as achieving qualifications in a supported environment. The focus of the project is to use Social Farming to enable people with disabilities to achieve their aspirations and play a fuller role in society by undertaking training on the Social Farms and through RAPID which is a LANTRA training centre.”
Photo shows: Daniel McLaughlin, service user (ploughing); Victor Scott (supervisor); Edward Doherty, Service User and Liam Toland, service user, at Gortlea Farm in Claudy.
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