Farming project

Councillor Chivers and her husband Liam have a farm in Drumsurn and will be launching a local campaign to promote this project. The social farming initiative is aimed at developing linkages between the agriculture and health care sectors.

Councillor Chivers said: “The ‘Social Farming Across Borders’ (SoFAB) is an innovative project linking the health care and agriculture sectors in the north and south of Ireland to establish a novel social support service to improve health and support farm diversification.

“My husband Liam and I farm here in Drumsurn and we will be launching a local campaign to promote this project all across East Derry. Social farming provides an opportunity for a joined up approach to the care and rehabilitation of vulnerable groups in society.

“Experiencing farming at first hand, combined with physical activity has been shown to help in the rehabilitation of a broad range of vulnerable people suffering from mental health problems, physical and learning disabilities and drug or alcohol addiction.

“This project has the potential to make a difference to the lives of so many people by providing a service which will bring about health, economic and social benefits.

“It provides a vital link between health and rural life. As well as meeting the need for tackling rural poverty and social isolation in rural areas, social farming presents new opportunities for farm diversification. I encourage farmers and farm families to take the time to investigate its potential benefits to their business.”