An organisation supporting the wellbeing of men with dementia and Parkinson’s using farming has been given a huge funding boost. 

Future Roots has secured a National Lottery grant of £370,000 towards the growth of its Countrymen’s Club which runs agricultural programmes for men aged 50 and older.

The organisation, based on working farms in Whitfield near Poundbury and Rylands Farm in Holnest, now aims to recruit and train ten other care farms. It already offers the opportunity for around 50 men, who come from as far away as 20 miles, to socialise and pursue their outdoor interests in a supported environment.

Activities on offer within the club range from working with animals and spending time touring the farm, to picking fruit and vegetables and cooking meals. Workshops are also run from both sites, many with an element of reminiscence.

Alongside the Countrymen’s Club, Future Roots aims to help vulnerable young people through troubled times with learning and developing in an outside environment. 

Future Roots says the expansion of Countrymen’s Clubs across existing care farms across the country will enable like-minded men to benefit from working together outdoors as an alternative to traditional day care service.

Dan Hodgson, who is now in his 80s, has been a member of the Countrymen’s Club for four years and now acts as a volunteer at the club. He now engages in many work activities he used to do before he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Using his experience as a farmer and gardener,

Dan puts together the hanging flower baskets and supports some of the men less able than himself. 

Dan said: “It helped me and my wife a lot. I don’t know what would have happened if the Countrymen’s Club didn’t exist.” 

According to Future Roots, currently the majority of men aged 50 to 90 years have had positive experiences of farming or horticulture. but many others have a military background. 

The men vary in their levels of mobility and memory but together they are able to get fully involved in the farm activities.

Julie Plumley, founder of Future Roots and the Countrymen’s Club, said: “Our aim has always been to offer person centred opportunities to enable people to engage in activities that will enhance wellbeing by stimulating the mind and body.

"We are delighted to receive National Lottery funding as this will enable us to expand this unique concept to other parts of the country.

"We would like to hear from farms who want to set up a Countrymen’s Club, especially those who already have experience of delivering services to the community and who are a member of Care Farming UK.”

Visit www.futureroots.net.