The Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme has provided funding to thousands of projects throughout England. Its flexible approach means a huge variety of projects can be considered.
The Northumberland Coast National Landscape team awarded £8110 to a pilot project exploring the practicalities of offering alternative support to people with various health issues. Green social prescribing is a relatively new concept, but one with proven outcomes, whereby GPs and other health or social care professionals can prescribe activities outdoors either instead of or alongside pharmaceuticals.
Before any referrals could be made, there was a huge amount of preparatory work to do. Meetings between the Northumberland National Landscape team, staff from health and social services, specialist therapists, transport providers and the team at Fenham Farm were essential to map the needs of health and social care clients with what the Farm could provide, and to build strong relationships, which they hope to build into a longer-term partnership.
Working together, the team developed a six-week pilot project, aiming to support people’s mental and physical well-being and reduce pressure on local health services. Six groups of clients took part, including people living with dementia and teenage carer leavers. They visited Fenham Farm, right on the Northumberland coast with a beautiful view to the island of Lindisfarne, taking part in a variety of activities including:
- Nature walks with pauses for movement, reflection and conversation
- Group activities incorporating movement, drums and music
- Collecting natural materials for art making
- Gathering for tea, snacks, lunch and shared reflections
- A visit to the farm’s resident alpacas
This visit gave my husband a chance to be creative and to connect with others and nature - these things are so hard with dementia. He won’t remember a thing about it by tonight, but I will and he will in his own way.
Partner of participant living with dementia
Activities for each visit were tailored to the individual needs, capabilities and interests of the attendees.
Preparation for the programme and tailoring each visit took a lot of time and discussion, but the results were overwhelmingly positive and the time invested was worth it.
“This visit gave my husband a chance to be creative and to connect with others and nature - these things are so hard with dementia. He won’t remember a thing about it by tonight, but I will and he will in his own way.” Partner of man living with dementia
“It was so good to move with nature and the elements - inspiring - my dance was big and free.” One-to-one participant with immunocompromised illness
“Practicing being ‘alongside’ someone and listening with my whole body was much easier outside under a big sky.” Social worker
“Nothing could be better than watching cows and meeting alpacas.” Teenage care leaver
The Northumberland Coast National Landscape team are continuing to collaborate with NHS and social care staff to explore ways to build the programme in the coming years.
Nothing could be better than watching cows and meeting alpacas.
Teenage care leaver
The farm's alpacas have enjoyed the extra attention.
