Root Connections
A community garden and farm working to help end homelessness in the West Country
- Location Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Somerset
- Working on Ethical produce; rural homelessness; support for adults with complex needs
On the edge of the dramatic Mendip Hills, Manor Farm grows all kinds of good things – from fresh veg to gorgeous flowers. But this is no ordinary West Country farm. Instead, it’s the home of Roots Connections, a project working to improve the health and wellbeing of homeless people and other vulnerable adults.
Homelessness is often thought of as a city problem, but rates have risen starkly in rural areas across the UK in recent years. Roots Connections works with the residents of Dairy House, a homeless shelter on the farm, to help adults with complex needs engage in fulfilling agricultural and creative work.
That could be planting and picking fresh produce, animal care, hedge-laying, woodwork or even pottery. The goal is to help grow the resilience, confidence and aspirations of people who’ve experienced homelessness and other hardships – while providing them with work-ready skills for the future.
Why they are different:
The local council helps run Dairy House, with residents supported in finding sustainable housing pathways. But it’s far from a typical homelessness hostel. Residents can explore over 1,000 acres of local farmland, woodland, orchards and gardens. They cook and eat together (using as much of the farm’s fresh produce as they like), and can engage with recovery work through counselling, relapse prevention and other groups.
Why they are kind:
As most people sleeping rough in Somerset are “self-isolating” – living outside of towns and villages – one of Root Connections’ priorities is gently fostering meaningful connections between people who’ve experienced homelessness and others living in the local area. To achieve this, the project runs many workshops, activities and family events that are open to all, bringing the local community and residents together.
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