Social Farming Ireland Shown to Have Positive Outcomes for Mental Health March 30, 2019 0 612 From AgriLand: “Social Farming Ireland has proven to deliver a wide range of benefits and positive outcomes for people in recovery from mental ill health, doing so in a way that is convivial, community-based, non-clinical and rooted in everyday life. This was the key message from the launch of a new piece of Irish-based research published by Social Farming Ireland and launched on the farm of Liam and Simone Webb in Rathoe, Co. Carlow, on March 5 last. […] Social Farming Ireland’s policy officer, Dr. Aisling Moroney, shared her findings on the wide range of benefits from social farming which have been observed in both international studies and in Irish-based research. The outcomes include: improved wellbeing and reduced stress and anxiety from spending time in nature; the value of caring for animals and plants; renewed experience of and connection with the basic elements and cycles of life; increased sense of purpose and belonging; improved life skills and occupational skills; and notable improvements in physical fitness and vitality from engaging in natural outdoor activities. Central to the social farming experience is the improved sense of social connection; to the farmer, to other participants and to the wider community associated with the farm. ‘The connections made tend to be warm, natural and without pressure, with participants seen as people and not as cases and where they say they can be themselves in the everyday and ordinary environment of the family farm.'” Article →
