Densholme Farm is situated in Great Hatfield, 11 miles from Hull and 3 miles from Hornsea in East Yorkshire. The Care Farm began life in early 2007 when Denys Fell, the owner, teamed up with the Green Project and began growing some vegetables with the primary aim of providing a facility for the rehabilitation of people suffering with mental health problems.

The field has been in conversion and in 2009 will become fully certified for organic growing by the Soil Association. So far groups of mentally handicapped people from Brandesburton, people with mental health problems from Bridlington and the long term unemployed from Hornsea have participated in the activities. During 2008 much progress has been made. Toilets (including facilities for the disabled), a polytunnel, a rainwater collection system, a new chicken hut and run, have all been built using recycled materials and installed on the farm. The growing area has been expanded and healthy crops of potatoes, carrots, beetroot, swede, beans, cabbages, courgettes and Brussels sprouts obtained.

A new project manager has joined the team as well as fifty laying hens. An application has been made to the Forestry Commission for financial help with the planting of one hectare of native woodland which will commence in January 2009. However, we expect that these are only the beginnings of what is a very ambitious and exciting project. The polytunnel is now being used to grow winter crops and expand the range of summer vegetables. There are plans to plant fruit and nut trees and bushes, introduce goats, install a pond with fish and ducks surrounded by raised herb beds with a viewing and picnic area, and open a farm shop for sale of produce, all by the end of 2010. After that time there are options to extend the woodland, introduce more animals and build straw bale eco-lodges to allow for residential visits and workshops.

The benefits of these developments will be multiple. Firstly they will help to provide an attractive, tranquil, stimulating and healthy environment amongst nature to help people to recover from mental health difficulties. Not only does the care farm offer therapy to these people but, by participating in its development they are rewarded with the acquisition of new skills and enhanced self esteem, which will, hopefully, lead to their rehabilitation and reintegration into society, with the possibility of gaining employment on the farm itself in some cases.

Another benefit is the provision of quality organic food to the local area, which contributes to improving health and is kind to the environment. The project strongly believes that locally produced organic food is the only truly sustainable and viable option for humanity and the planet. We hope to play a part in increasing consumption of organic produce in the area and also to encourage other farmers to take the organic option.

Finally, although the project is aimed primarily at people with mental health difficulties, we welcome participation from individuals or groups from all sections of the community. We believe strongly in the importance of developing community values and hope to become a focal point for activities which bring people in the Hornsea area together to unite in working for a healthy and sustainable future. Evidence of this are the events such as the Third Marathon (application forms available below) and Fun Run, Open Farm Sunday, the Midsummer Barbecue and the Harvest Festival, which have now become annual fixtures (see events calendar link at the top of the page).

If you would like more information or are interested in becoming involved in any way, be it volunteering on the farm, fund-raising, publicity, buying or selling our produce or even becoming a Trustee of the Green Project, we would love to hear from you.