‘Social Farming brings out personalities...’
I HAVE been involved in the Shannow Family Resource Centre for many years, both as a voluntary Board of Management member and as a volunteer in our gardening group. Originally, we received funding from Kerry County Council and TUSLA to put in raised beds and a poly tunnel. More recently, with help from Kerry Social Farming, we were able to re-design the raised beds, pathways and poly tunnel to make the whole area wheelchair friendly.
The Shannow gardening group is all about social interaction. Our partnership with Kerry Social Farming has ensured this our group is accessible, inclusive and welcoming to all members of our community:
In addition to hands on gardening, we regularly access gardening courses from Kerry Education and Training Board, we organise days out and of course, we always make sure we have time for the coffee, tea and a chat!
I think the things I notice most about Social Farming is the enjoyment and sense of independence the participants have and the great feedback I get from the participants families who see the positive changes and pleasure participants get from their involvement .
Other organisations, allotments and farmers should definitely consider becoming involved - it’s only one day a week and everyone has someone in their locality that would benefit from it. I love been involved in Social Farming - meeting new people and socialising is an important part of Social Faming – both for the participants and the volunteers!
Social Farming is an excellent way of tapping into participants abilities and I have seen first-hand how this can help increase self-confidence and self-esteem.
Denis Burns, Shannow Family Resource Centre