A city and community farm in the heart of Newcastle which harnesses the healing power of animals to improve people’s mental health is joining funded projects and charities throughout the UK today to highlight the amazing stories of animals coming together with humans to make their lives better.
Today is World Animal Day (October 4th), an annual event which aims to raise the status of animals around the world. In homage to our friends from the animal kingdom that make the world a better place, on World Animal Day 2021, The National Lottery is highlighting the wonderful stories of how animals through some of its funded projects and charities throughout the UK are putting their best paw forward to help people in need across the country.
National Lottery funding goes towards a wide range of animal related projects – from city and community farms; funding the training of rescue dogs that help emergency services during natural disasters; projects that support people with disabilities and behavioural issues; and projects that provide animal assisted therapy – to support people and improve their wellbeing.
Over the last five years alone, The National Lottery Community Fund has awarded more than £17 million to around almost 200 animal-related projects across the UK which support people most in need.
One of the organisations putting their best paw forward thanks to the National Lottery’ support is Ouseburn Community Farm in the heart of Newcastle. In July 2019, the farm was awarded over £80,000 from The National Lottery to provide a volunteering scheme for, but not exclusively for, people with physical or learning disabilities, involving them in activities around agriculture and other areas of the farm.
The farm has over 80 volunteers who come each week to help look after the farm, as well as it’s animals – including chickens, turkeys, duck, geese, goats, pigs, sheep and a cow called Willow.
There are also a variety of small animals that have been donated by trustees and volunteers, such as rabbits, guineas pigs, and even a tortoise.
As Farm Manager, Hugh Stolliday, explains: “The idea was to enable us to engage and recruit and retain more volunteers in the farm. A lot of our volunteers work directly with our livestock and small animals to help improve their mental health.
“For some people, it's been a really difficult time. Covid's been a real challenge and being on the farm and spending time with animals helps improve people's mental health and their wellbeing.
“We find that coming to the farm and being part of the team and interacting with our animals helps people combat loneliness and isolation.”
A farm since 1976, Ouseburn Farm became a charity in 2011, and runs a variety of workshops including growth and learning workshops for adults with learning disabilities, difficulties and autism spectrum disorder in which they are able to help look after the animals.
Spending time with animals can help improve their physical, cognitive, emotional or behavioural problems and caring for them helps to develop compassion, empathy and responsibility as well as a sense of wellbeing and calm.
More than £30 million goes to good causes from The National Lottery across the country every week, making vital projects like these possible.
Hugh added: “The National Lottery have made a tremendous difference and has helped us improve enormously. The volunteers get so much from being on the farm and they really enjoy being part of the team. The animals provide people with a sense of calm and purpose that you would struggle to find in normal life. Being on the farm is a sanctuary for people as well the animals we have. We have so much gratitude to the National Lottery and it's made a massive difference for us.”
It has long been known that animals serve as a source of comfort and support for people and for many - nothing compares to the joy of coming home to a loyal companion. But it’s not just love and companionship in our daily lives they offer as David Knott, Interim CEO at The National Lottery Community Fund, explains:
“Thanks to National Lottery players, these projects and the incredible animals they work with are changing people’s lives,” he says.
“Whether helping to improve mental health, reduce loneliness or providing a physical support, they are boosting people’s wellbeing and confidence so that they can better prosper and thrive.”
To find out more about how The National Lottery supports good causes throughout the UK, visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk
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