Laois farmers encouraged to help people with disabilities

Social farming in action. Pic: Social Farming Ireland

placeholder image — Social farming in action. Pic: Social Farming Ireland

New funding for Social Farming Ireland

New funding of €200,000 is available for the Social Farming Ireland Programme for support placements on social farms in Laois and other counties for people with disabilities, according to the Minister of State for Disability, Anne Rabbitte.

Social farming offers individuals the opportunity to spend time on a family farm in a healthy, supportive and inclusive environment. Funding provided in 2023 supported 2,200 placement days for 203 people with disabilities on 60 social farms throughout Ireland.

Under this programme, people can choose to participate in activities that they may be interested in such as animal care, gardening and general farmyard maintenance, or indoor activities including baking and jam making.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth says Social Farming provides a planned outcome focused, support placement for people on a farm using the natural assets of the people, the place, the activities and the community to support a person to achieve some of their own chosen goals.

The Department says it is based on the person choosing to spend time with farmers and their families in the natural environment of the farm, engaging in valuable and meaningful activities, and developing social connections and relationships, both of which combine to deepen its impact further. There are about 200 social farms are registered with Social Farming Ireland the national Network for social farming in Ireland and about 140 of these farms are active at any one time. More below picture.

Over 850 people engaged in social farming through this network is 2023.

“This funding gives people with disabilities the opportunity to engage in natural community support in their local areas. I’ve seen first-hand the wonders this has and I’m delighted to be able to support Social Farming for a second year,” said Minister Rabbitte.

She continued: “Social farming has a number of benefits including those related to physical health and well-being, social connectivity, skills acquisition, confidence, capacity and vitality. I am pleased that this funding will enable individuals to take part in placements across Ireland and support them in being active, independent members of their communities”.

For more on social farming go to www.socialfarmingireland.ie