Fun, enjoyment and happiness from spending time with the farmer and the other participants

“I probably do more laughing here than I would in a week away from here….. [the farmer]  is very funny and he has a lot of funny stories….. I felt more encouraged to try and get that part of me across.”

Improved social connections and a sense of confidence in being around other people

“It was very positive to meet people, especially different people… it brought us together and we worked get well together.” 

The opportunity to spend time in nature, in the fresh air, working with animals and plants

 “Out here it’s a lovely bright day and it’s totally mind opening. You see the lake you see the mountains, the animal, the sky and everything around is positive…. there is no negativity here at all. Even if it rains it’s not negative we have to have it, it’s all part of the cycle.

A chance to carry out meaningful activities alongside other people and to achieve something concrete every day

“It’s a very positive place to be. It makes you feel good about yourself, you feel a sense of achievement and that type of thing. When you finish the job, you can you see the fruits of your labour like in the polytunnel we can have a head of lettuce to bring home with us and stuff like that.”

The opportunity to learn lots of new things and to develop new skills outside in nature rather than in a classroom

“There’s a good bit of freedom and you’re out of the house and you’re learning things. You’re not in school but you’re still learning things…. It’s easier to focus when you’re out doing the stuff rather than being in class just sitting there……. it’s practical and you’re learning how to do it and once you’ve done it’s going to stick in you”.

“I find it exciting because I’m interested in it.  I find it very therapeutic, doing up the cart was therapeutic, painting and sanding and learning about the cattle and learning about the ivy and very informal you know, and I have a good interest in it and em… I’ve told a lot of people about it already.”

The opportunity to develop new interests, such as in animal care or the environment or cooking

“I learnt how to make a loy…. a loy is a traditional Irish spade…. that’s one thing I definitely learnt but it’s not the only thing. We learnt all sorts of stuff, operating the timber machine which I never did before and we made up that wicker bag which I never did before …. I learnt what an orchid looks like. He [the farmer] introduced me to horses and cows….”

Gaining a different perspective on life and getting a break from institutional or home life

“It’s peaceful… and you learn a lot of new things but you are outside and you’re not stuck in the classroom and people don’t like that……. and time flies because you’re working so you’re doing something.”

Improved physical fitness and sense of well-being and vitality

“I think he is a changed man, physically he has lost a lot of weight and he has a much healthier diet.  He is working harder outside so he needs more good food.” – Service Provider

Increased sense of motivation and purpose which can be applied to other areas of life such as social life or self-care or education or job-seeking

“Yeah my mum said that she noticed a difference and I’m speaking up and I’m not sitting quiet all the time because I used to sit in my room all the time and now I’m down the stairs with the rest of them…. she’s sees a big difference in it.”