The Farm at Fosse House

In late 2013, the local council sent a letter suggesting that it would be rather nice (and beneficial) to extend our activities to the wider community. At the same time we received word that the neighbouring school had begun keeping chickens, and had received the same letter. A few ‘phone calls later and residents were visiting the school each week to feed the chickens and collect eggs helped by some of the children. We were also in the process of setting up an allotment in the garden, and, as it turned out, the school were beginning their Gardening Club. Before long the children were visiting the home to learn the art of ‘grow your own’ from our residents, who relished the opportunity to impart their wisdom on the latest generation. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"2159","attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter size-full wp-image-8154","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"734","height":"550","title":"ds","alt":""}}]] And so ‘The Farm’ was established – a weekly exchange between school and care home – with children and older people working together to learn and experience. The Farm has a hard core of dedicated residents who join in every week, with others fancying a dabble; but all come alive with the experience of fresh air, eager young protégées, live animals and good tilled earth. The residents gain a sense of responsibility and a new found purpose. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"2160","attributes":{"class":"media-image aligncenter size-full wp-image-8155","typeof":"foaf:Image","style":"","width":"390","height":"652","title":"ese","alt":""}}]] Fred: “I’d just like to say thank you very much, I’ve really enjoyed this; I mean it.” Tom: “This (garden) is identical to the one I had at home, it’s uncanny!” Ollie: “It’s wonderful, all the children and the things growing. Absolutely beautiful!”