County Derry farm hosts project empowering adults with disabilities

A County Derry farm hosted a project empowering adults with disabilities to play a fuller role in society through farming.

Gortilea Social Farm in Claudy provided placements and training for adults (16+) with mental health, learning and/or learning disabilities to partake in various forms of agriculture.

The farm partnered with Butterlope Farm in County Tyrone to deliver the 'So Keep Farming' project. It hosted daily activities such as animal care, land management, maintaining accommodation, horticulture and all aspects of farm life.

The So Keep Farming project aims to help improve the physical and mental wellbeing of participants and help them further develop social skills and skills for future employment.

Participants were awarded qualification certificates accredited through LANTRA allowing them to achieve qualifications in a supported environment.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Sandra Duffy awarded participants their certificates.

Annie Mullan from Butterlope Farm said they were proud of the participant's' achievements. 

“Not only have they achieved qualifications, but they have benefitted by becoming more active and improving their mental health. Time on the farm can also help some move on to further training or jobs.”

The ‘So Keep Farming’ is a project led by RAPID in partnership with Butterlope Farm in Plumbridge and Gortilea Social Farm in Claudy and is part funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014 – 2020, the Department for the Economy, the Health and Social Care Board, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and Derry City and Strabane District Council.