The Veterans Farm Able Foundation

ABOUT US
We are a group of highly qualified, like-minded, experienced professionals whose lives have been affected by a loved one’s trauma in one way or another. Through our desire to support and help we have undertaken trials of social farming, i.e. using therapeutic work with ‘mother nature’, the land and animals, all associated with the countryside, as an aid to recovery. We know the impact tha

t trauma can have on the sufferer and the whole family and friends. We have numerous skills, and our experiences have led us to be totally passionate about the work we do. We are proud of the successes we have had helping people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other mental health conditions. We understand the real difficulties experienced by the military and emergency service personnel and their families. We will combine our many skills to deliver a highly professional and integrated approach to help trauma related conditions. We are a Community Interest Company, not for profit, Social Enterprise. Penny Connorton – Chief Executive / Founder

Director – Care Farming UK, Ad. Counselling, C&G Teachers Cert, Former Dairy Farmer (22 years), Former Disability Officer, The Royal British Legion. Penny comes from a town background, and had a joint partnership in a very busy village store before entering into farming in 1979 and becoming a Dairy Farmer, Pedigree Livestock Breeder and Agricultural Lecturer. Also Manager of a tourist enterprise, and created and ran a farm shop, producing cheese from their Jersey Herd and buying in other local farmers produce. In 1999 she was awarded European funding to undertake a feasibility study to research a farm skills based project for those with disabilities, with physical, emotional and mental health difficulties. Many trials were undertaken with those recovering from substance mis-use and emotional breakdowns. Since leaving farming she has taken An Advanced Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and helped other farmers that had to leave farming due to the Foot and Mouth Crisis. From 2008 until 2011, worked as a Disability Officer with the Royal British Legion and now has a private Counselling Practice. Having direct experience of being a Carer for an ex-serviceman with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Penny now specialises in helping families of those suffering from PTSD. Also specialising in agricultural issues. Dave Coombes BVSc MsC MRCVS

Dave Coombes is the Clinical Director and senior veterinary clinician of Cedar Farm Practice, a livestock dedicated veterinary practice based in Ringwood, Hampshire. Dave is a full time farm specialised veterinary surgeon of 27 years experience and has been the owner of a small herd of pedigree Holstein cattle for approximately 25 years. He is involved in the day to day management & daily milking of his own herd. The herd is known nationally through sales of high genetic merit cattle at major sales, as well as regular success at local, regional and national shows. This is a pretty unique situation in the UK. It is very rare to have a vet with his/her own herd and with a reputation for Holstein breeding as Dave has. It enables him to fully understand the challenges and problems that his clients encounter, and hence he is able to deliver advice which is practical from the outset, having “been there and done that”.