Foster families enjoy hands-on farming experience at Shropshire Hills workshop
Foster families from New Chapters Fostercare visited a Pulverbatch farm to learn about rural life, wildlife and food production as part of the Hill Stories project
Foster carers and children from a Shrewsbury-based fostering agency have enjoyed a hands-on farming experience at a farm in the Shropshire Hills.
The group from New Chapters Fostercare (NCF) visited Carol and Stu Ashley's farm in Pulverbatch as part of the Hill Stories project, which gives people who might otherwise have limited opportunities to visit a farm the chance to learn about rural life.
The one-day workshop gave 15 carers and children the opportunity to discover more about farming, wildlife and habitats, and how farmers work with the environment.
They also helped with activities on the farm and used iPads to capture photographs and sounds, creating digital pieces about their experiences. These were later shared on the Hill Stories Instagram page.
The project runs a series of workshops for different community groups, including home-educating families, young carers, adults with learning disabilities, the Telford and Wrekin Autism Hub, the Craven Arms Muslim community and Shropshire Supports Refugees.
It was developed in partnership with the Shropshire Hills National Landscape team and eight local farmers, with funding from Farming in Protected Landscapes.
Third-generation farmer Stu Ashley, who was a foster carer with NCF for 14 years, said the event had been a success.
He said: “It was an excellent day for the 15 carers and children who took part. For some it was learning about rearing sheep and cattle and for others a first-hand introduction to nature, but predominantly how we, as custodians of the countryside, have its best interests at heart.
“In the end everyone went away with an increased knowledge of how our farm works.
“The biggest hit of the day though was my sheepdog Ginnie, who endeared herself to everyone and, more importantly, had a calming effect on some of those attendees anxious about visiting a farm for the first time.”
Sarah Richards, of NCF, said the workshop and the opportunity to record their experiences digitally had been a positive experience for those who attended.
She added: “Foster carers come from all walks of life and the workshop and digital recording of their experiences was very positive for those who attended.
“Shropshire farmers considering fostering would do well to talk to Stu and Carol who were exemplary carers during their time with us.”