Thanks to funding from Ultra's Covid-19 community support fund, High Mead Farm was able to build and officially open a new Farm Shop on 22 July.
High Mead Farm is a community interest (not-for-profit) farm in Longham, Ferndown which, at its core, takes referrals from Social Services and offers a day service providing Co-Farmers (members of the public living with mental and physical health issues) the opportunities of working with animals, soil, nature, arts, crafts and learn trade skills as a form of therapy.
The farm is also open to the public for visits, meeting the farm animals and sells fresh seasonal vegetables, honey, eggs & kindling as a side-line.
However, COVID-19 presented a massive challenge to the very survival of the farm. Many regular Co-Farmers found themselves unable to visit due to underlying health conditions and those that did faced the added difficulties of complying with strict measures required to operate safely. As a result the Farm has had to look to find other ways of ensuring that it can survive to provide full services again in future.
The development of the Farm Shop is key to that strategy and displays the values of agility and innovation - values shared with Ultra. This new income stream will help the Farm become more resilient financially but also provide more opportunities for Co-Farmers to learn new skills and confidence.
The Shop was opened by the Mayor of Wimborne, Councillor Mrs Kelly Webb.