Care farms across Suffolk and Norfolk are opening up their farms to those interested in trying out their facilities, health professionals and healthcare commissioners next week.

Nine care farms in Suffolk will be taking part in Open Care Farming Week, which is aimed at raising awareness of care farming and increasing its profile.

The event follows a care farm conference at Diss on May 23 which attracted big-hitters from farming, politics and health, including Health Minister Norman Lamb and Suffolk County Council leader Mark Bee, both of whom spoke at the event, and National Farmers’ Union regional boss Pamela Forbes, who chaired it.

Care farms can be used by a range of individuals who could benefit from outdoor activities and spending time on a farm, including those with mental illnesses and conditions and also people with some physical problems requiring recuperation.

Conference organiser Doeke Dobma of Clinks Care Farm of Toft Monks, Beccles, said the movement was gaining momentum across the counties, with support growing for the idea that there should be care farm representation on healthcare commissioning bodies - an idea championed by Mr Bee.

“Before, we were left outside the corridors of power but it’s a first major step forward that we have been invited to participate in these meetings,” said Mr Dobma.

The movement was keen to demonstrate that not only was its services providing the health and social care system with good value for money but also that it was getting better results than other methods of care, said Mr Dobma.

Following the success of a pilot ‘care farm on prescription’ concept trialled by Clinks Care Farm and Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s clinical commissioning group, Mr Dobma is set to talk to South Norfolk about the idea of setting up a similar scheme in its area.

The open care farming week is aimed primarily at people with individual personal budgets for care, as well as care managers and commissioners.

“It’s an opportunity for people who have not come across care farms before and they want to know more,” said Mr Dobma.

Please contact the care farms participating in the open event before arrival.

The care farms in Suffolk taking part are: Green Light Trust, The Foundry, Bury Road, Lawshall, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP29 4PJ. Open from Monday to Friday from 10.00 to 15.00 – 48hrs. notification, Contact: Ashley Seaborne at ashley@greenlighttrust.org, phone: 07887 877879 / 01284 830829; Potsford Farm, Wickham Market Road, Letheringham, Suffolk IP13 0NB. Open from Monday to Sunday – by appointment only. Contact: Nathan Nobbs at potsfordfarm@hotmail.com or phone: 07584 220542; Downham Cottage Care Farm, St Peter’s View, School Road, Monk Soham, Woodbridge, Suffolk. IP13 7EN. Open from Monday 09 to Friday 13 June – by appointment only. Contact: Debbie Rawlinson at debbie.rawlinson@downhamcottage.co.uk, or phone: 01728 685712 or 07962 666 820; Sunset Barn Care Farm, Sunset Barn, 125 Undley Hall, Lakenheath, Suffolk IP27 9BY. Open from Monday 09 to Wednesday from 10am to 2.30pm – by appointment only. Contact: Melanie Smith at melaniepsmith@hotmail.co.uk, phone: 07847 037622; Fynn Valley Farm, Main Road, Tuddenham St. Martin, Ipswich IP6 9BZ. Open by appointment only. Contact: Harry Brightwell at fynnvalleyfarmcarefarm@hotmail.co.uk, phone: 01473 210519; Tongs Lane Farm, Cratfield, Halesworth, Suffolk IP190QD. Open on Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm - by appointment only. Contact: Clive Mobbs at climob@yahoo.co.uk, phone 01986 798030; Purdis Poppy Farm, Purdis Farm Lane, Ipswich IP10 0AD. Open from Monday to Sunday – by appointment only. Contact: Liz Marley and Lee Smith at liz.marley@purdispoppyfarm.co.uk, phone 01473 614114; Park Gate Care Farm, Main Road (A12), Kelsale, Saxmundham IP17 2RF. Open from Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm - by appointment only. Contact: Caroline Chenery at parkgatecarefarm@btconnect.com or phone: 01728 603003; Millennium Farm Trust, Broad Green Farm, Chedburgh Road, Chevington IP29 5QS. Open on Tuesday and Friday from 10am to 3pm – by appointment only; Contact: Stephanie Hartick, Client Liaison Officer at shartick@tiscali.co.uk, phone Stephanie 01284 762792 or Jocelyn 07769 6750778.

The participating Norfolk Care Farms are: Lingwood Care Farm, Dairy Farm, Station Road, Lingwood, Norwich, NR13 4AL. Open from Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 3.30pm – by appointment only. Contact: Sally Medler at sallymedler@hotmail.co.uk, phone: 01603 714063 or 07946 610973; Brambles Care Farm, School Road, Bedingham, Norfolk NR35 2DB. Open from Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm – by appointment only. Contact: Judy Burrage at admin@bramblescarefarm.co.uk, phone: 01508 483846 or 07825511510. Green Heart Farm, Green Heart Farm, Red Hall Lane, Southburgh, Watton, IP25 7TG. Open Day on Wednesday and Saturday – other days by appointment only. Contact: Emma Mayes at mayesemma@yahoo.co.uk, phone: 07723 998950; Clinks Care Farm, Clinks Farm, Church Road, Toft Monks, Beccles NR34 0ET. Open from Monday to Friday from 10am to 3.30pm – by appointment only. Contact: Iris van Zon / Doeke Dobma at iris.vanzon@clinkscarefarm.org, phone: 01502 679134; Two Jays Farm, Buxton Road, Horstead, Norwich NR12 7EX. Open on Tuesday – by appointment only. Contact: Michelle Docwra at shelyd73@live.co.uk, phone: 07926 096932