Group of farmers’ wives and daughters is pioneering providing dementia day care
A group of farmers’ wives and daughters is pioneering providing dementia day care on a working sheep farm with the ambition of offering it as a diversification option for food producers.
The team behind Primrose Care Farm, at Carlton Miniott, near Thirsk, say while there are some care farm environments aimed towards children with learning difficulties, there are no such facilities in the North for people with dementia.
MPs Sir Alec Shelbrooke and Kevin Hollinrake were joined by The Yorkshire Vet Peter Wright and the Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Jo Ropner at the opening of the care farm established beside Ian Thornton’s texal cross and suffolk cross commercial operation.
It is offering seasonal farm-based activities, including working with animals and growing produce, for up to 15 adult “companion” clients.
The venture aims to offer companions opportunities to build confidence, reduce isolation, and create meaningful moments through the healing benefits of farming and nature, while supporting a farming operation by renting land.
The farm is also home to a growing family of animals including pigs, sheep, alpacas, donkeys, rabbits and a turkey, all of which play an important role in creating a calm and engaging environment.
Ahead of North Yorkshire Council approving changing the use of agricultural land for the scheme last year, planning documents stated with direct subsidies under the Basic Payment Scheme being phased “Primrose Farm is experiencing mounting financial pressure and the removal of this income will jeopardise the farm's financial sustainability”.
Emma Dodsworth, the care farm’s manager, said the concept had been borne out of farming background and a belief in its benefits.
Ms Dodsworth said they had received a lot of interest in the care farm, because “we’re so different to the usual care environment”.
She said: “The animals are therapeutic, it’s keeping people stimulated because there’s always something going on. If they want to be with the animals they can.
"We’ve got decking on the front and quite a lot of our companions are enjoying sitting on that. They just seem to be enjoying being on a farm without it being too difficult to get in and out.”
If the venture proves successful, Primrose Care Farm, founded by Holly Bainbridge and Emily Thornton, hopes to offer the package to other farmers seeking to diversify.
In a statement, the founding pair said: “Opening Primrose Care Farm means the world to us. This has been our dream for many years and seeing that dream become a reality has been incredibly emotional. Welcoming our first companions onto the farm is a hugely proud moment, and we are excited to begin this journey with them.”
“We would like to say a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who has supported us in preparing for our opening. From friends, family, and volunteers to local businesses and our community, we simply couldn’t have done it without you. The encouragement and kindness we have received has been overwhelming, and we are so grateful.”
The official opening celebrated not only the beginning of a new service but also the power of communities coming together to create innovative support for people living with dementia.
, helping to sustain rural livelihoods and strengthen the agricultural economy within jdeNorth Yorkshire.