Community Therapy at High Mead Farm
We offer the therapeutic opportunity to work with animals, soil, nature, arts, crafts and trade skills for our Co-Farmers
head on down to the Farm Shop to buy local and home grown produce
A warm welcome from High Mead Farm
We are a therapeutic farm in Longham, Ferndown. With the experienced guidance and support from our Staff and the generosity of our Volunteers we offer a day service to people living with mental health issues, physical disabilities, addiction, Alzheimer & dementia diagnosis, brain injury, vision & hearing impairment, autism, children excluded from school, Parkinson’s and learning difficulties to engage in an array of interesting activities on the farm.
We work alongside local businesses, churches, social services, local authorities, schools, universities, organisations and charities. We are open to the public to purchase fresh seasonal vegetables, our own honey, eggs & kindling, from our on site Farm Shop.
Our Ethos
High Mead Farm is a supported work environment for those with disabilities, we assist those suffering from mental health issues and those recovering from illness.
As a working farm we remain to promote the benefits of engaging with animals, soil and nature.
We create purposeful roles within our Farm environment to bring a sense of well-being and self-worth that many have never experienced before.
The History of High Mead Farm
High Mead Farm (HMF) started in 2012, after taking over the site from Poole and Bournemouth College.
From the support our Landords gave, we soon agreed a positive way forward for HMF. With a passion for nature and a buzz for adventure, Mark Gregory and his business partner at the time took this 4 acre site on. Through hard work and determination, the farm soon started to take shape.
Guided by the ethos of organically growing a business through expanding by word of mouth only, we’ve arrived today with a bustling passionate working therapeutic farm.
Co-Farmers are the heart and the soul of High Mead Farm
Co-Farmers choose to come to the farm as part of their care package or recovery. We receive referrals via Local Councils Adult Social care teams, Mental Health teams within the NHS and other local organisations. Co-farmers can also arrange direct with us to join the therapeutic farm if they wish. We welcome a diverse group from our community, offering a unique experience enabling people to grow using the magic of High Mead Farm!
We can offer 1 to 5 days of therapeutic farming to those wanting to engage with nature, and grow in spirit. Our focus is very much on ability and not disability, engaging everyone through stability and direction. We are not able to offer personal care or continuous one to one work; however co-farmers are welcome to attend with carers.
Co-Farmers, volunteers and the farm staff often engage in group activities which are always a very popular approach to completing a task.
High Mead Farm Volunteers
We are proud to say our volunteers are amazing. Many have been with us from the beginning. Their main role is to support our co-farmers, who are our paying clients.
Spring Fayre 2024
A huge thanks to everyone who attended our big fundraising Spring Fayre on Saturday 25th May. It was lovely to see so many people attending the Farm and the sun shone on each and every one of us. We loved seeing families enjoying a day in the sunshine playing games such as Crockery Smash, Coconut Shy as well as pushing home-made “prams” into a wall of cardboard boxes – proper traditional old games. The Chicken Poo bingo was a huge success and even one of the games an egg was laid too- a bonus prize! Our BBQ , Vegan food stall and the Donut/candy floss stalls were kept busy serving up tasty delights for everyone. Quayside Cloggies entertained us throughout with their dancing and music, followed by more live music from Sounds Like Us, to entertain everyone while enjoying the sunshine.
The Animal experiences proved popular and thanks to Vicky at Paws on Board for hosting the dog show again this year.
Despite having other events on locally, the fayre was so well attended we managed to raise in excess of £10,000, which will be going towards vital repairs to our boundary fences to keep our animals safe.
Again we wish to thank everyone, including our amazing Volunteers, for supporting us and making this day an amazing event!
Visit 23rd October 2023
Downright Perfect is a charity for under 5’s and their families, for people who have children with Downs syndrome. They visited the farm for a fun filled Halloween spooky farm trail and a look around the farm, and had a wonderful day! As a “School trip” they made a generous donation to the farm for their visit. If your School or club would like to visit please contact us
