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We are a emotional and wellbeing service. Although we have rescued animals in the past we don’t routinely take any animals in. The orchard therapy animals mission statement
At the orchard therapy animals, we understand that animals and being outside working the land can bring people so much pleasure, enjoyment and is therapy in i
tself. We are hoping the orchard therapy animal allotment will bring the community as much joy as it has us. I’ve come to realise, being a mother of five and having two children with autism, one with dyspraxia and emotionally unstable personality disorder as well as self-harm tendencies including suicidal ideation, that being outdoors and surrounded by animals is a very therapeutic and healing place to be. Especially for those who are struggling. I am currently waiting to see about another child being diagnosed with autism. I personally suffer from mental health issues, arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and other things medically wrong with me. I am also my adult children’s carer. My journey with animals started roughly about three years ago. I was dismissed from my job for being disabled, this had a huge impact on my health, especially my mental health. I could not leave the house as a result due to a panic disorder. My family got me an allotment and some hatching eggs, and it all blossomed from there. Our mission is to be an all-inclusive, mental health, therapy animals, not-for-profit charity. We want to provide an environment that will be inclusive of everybody no matter what their needs, disabilities and health issues. We hope to be able to work with services that can benefit from being with animals, planting vegetables, flowers, growing trees, learning on the job, and teaching how to care for animals and the land. The orchard provides a place for people to socialise, and we are hoping that we can integrate this with colleges and schools. I’ve found out with my daughter - who has autism - and has completed courses in animal management, that work placements are very difficult to find and we are hoping to be able to include this and be able to offer work experience places for those who need it. We are wanting to work with counselling and therapy services, and we are hoping to provide use of our land for counselling sessions so they can be done in a private but non-clinical setting. Clients may feel it is easier to open up in an alternative, comfortable environment. Animals can help provide an ideal atmosphere for those who suffer from emotional/physical disorders. Both people and the animals benefit from the interactions which are present at the orchard therapy animal allotment. The animals’ emotional well-being also increases with every interaction that people provide.
We currently have a few people who look after some of our animals, as it helps with their anxiety and as a result, they look forward to coming to the orchard. It gets them out of the house into the fresh air, doing something different that they enjoy. We are an unregistered, not-for-profit charity. Any leftover donations/produce available may be provided to the local community shop free of charge. This may take the form of homegrown vegetables from the allotment as well as dairy products provided by our animals. We hope to see you soon, even if it’s just to pop and sit with the animals. You will find no judgment here at the orchard as we have a policy to be kind and be nice. The Orchard Therapy Animals Aims
• To provide a safe calm space for visitors and volunteers where they can come and help out or just enjoy the atmosphere and being in the fresh air.
• To be a not-for-profit charity in which any donations of monetary value would be invested into the orchard, or to fund other charitable events within the local area.
• To provide training on animal husbandry to those that wish to learn.
• To work with educational services to provide an inclusive work experience environment.
• To provide support to people which are struggling and to provide information about services and other community groups which may help support their needs.
• To provide a set schedule to those who find an unregulated routine difficult.
• To provide an environment in which a sense of ownership can be achieved to those that are unable to do so at home.
• To work with other groups and charities around the local area with the possibility of intermixing the services provided elsewhere.
• To work with children’s mental health and other health services to provide a safe space for those that desire a verbal or non-verbal environment.
• To offer a chance for people to come and sit or volunteer at the orchard/the allotment area, including the chance to help with the animals.
• To potentially employ people to work at the orchard. This will provide jobs for those who may find it difficult to secure employment due to their health.
• To provide training on mental health and wellbeing as well as having an emphasis on being healthy without judgement.
• To provide recipes and share ideas surrounding a healthy lifestyle.
• To have a hub for those who want to make friends but find it difficult to socialise. Can you help us with this mission? We hope so we want to spread the joy of the outside with everyone.
