Service providers have found that they are meeting the development and progression goals of clients in a very enjoyable way, with a light touch. A strong and growing body of evidence points to the role of nature and ‘green care’ in delivering a variety of benefits and positive outcomes for individuals with a range of needs (Alcock et al. 2014; Elings, 2012; Gullone, 2000; Hansen-Ketchum, 2009; Leck et al., 2015).

Interventions such as social farming, animal assisted therapy, social and therapeutic horticulture, eco-therapy and wilderness therapy are increasingly being explored by health and social care services working in areas such as intellectual and sensory disability, mental health and youth-work.

Social farming is an 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. It is fundamentally based on spending time with famers and their families in the natural environment of the farm, but also encompasses two other key elements; meaningful activities and social context which combine to deepen its impact further