Care Farming and Community

Description

Hazel Brow Farm is proud to offer care farming opportunities in Swaledale through our not-for-profit charity group – Hazel Brow Farm Education Link. This has been made possible thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund.

This project is part of a 12-month pilot programme, designed to bring people and nature together in a welcoming, supportive farm environment. Building on previous work through the Tees-Swale project, it aims to create meaningful volunteering and social prescribing opportunities using Hazel Brow Farm and the surrounding land.

Our care farming sessions provide hands-on, farm-based experiences that support wellbeing, learning, and connection with the natural world. Activities may include working with livestock, growing plants, caring for the environment, or simply spending time outdoors in a calm, rural setting.

We welcome individuals and groups of all ages and abilities, including those who may benefit from support with mental, physical, or social wellbeing. We work with a range of organisations and community groups, including schools, charities, and health services, and can tailor sessions to suit different needs — whether as a one-off visit or part of a regular programme.

The project also works in partnership with local farmers, environmental groups, and the NHS social prescribing team, helping to make farming and the countryside more accessible while supporting wellbeing and inclusion.

We highly advise a preliminary visit to the farm. These are free of charge, please get in touch to organise your pre-visit.

Care farming sessions can run between 10am and 3pm.

For educational groups aged 5–16, visits may also be eligible for funding through the Countryside Stewardship scheme.

For more information please contact Emily at info@hazelbrowfarm.org