Work on the farm boosts young people's career hopes

A farm is helping vulnerable young adults boost their confidence and their chances of finding work.

Let's Farm in Cheshire was set up as a community project for people aged 18 to 35 who have learning disabilities and difficulties.

They take part in all aspects of farming life, which the organisers said brings huge benefits.

Project founder Nicola Colenso said what the young people got out of it was "immeasurable".

Ryan, who works on Dairy House Farm in Winsford four-days-a-week, said he hoped to inspire more young people to take part.

"It's not just a simple job, it's providing nourishment for people and also the animals," he said.

"It's taking care of the environment... it's really important.

"You definitely make a lot of friends with animals and people.

"It's a very good experience."

Thirty rangers from across Cheshire work on the farm and all jobs are carried out under the watchful eye of the farmer Rosie Lee.

"[At first] there were worries, but everything is risk assessed," she said.

"We decided from the onset that it was all about being a working farm, not a petting zoo.

"[We want them] to be able to do everything that is within their capabilities."

She said working on the project is "an absolute joy" and seeing the young people develop is amazing.

"Mental health and wellbeing in farming is a huge issue and any farmer will tell you there are bright days and there are dark days," Ms Lee said.

"It just opens your heart to everything you're doing.

"It's amazing because farming is tough and they make everything just a joy. An absolute joy."

Ms Colenso said she wants the project to develop the young people's skills and help them find work.

"We put a project together that we thought was meaningful and purposeful for them, working on their employability skills and giving them some self worth," she said.

"We might be on a farm but a lot of things we do are transferrable skills into other jobs.

"It's actually immeasurable what they get out of it.

"I'm so, so proud of them all."

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