Place to grow and make friends in Friskney

The Askfield Project, a 'Place to Grow Through Experience', has recently launched #ASKfriends at its care farm in Friskney - a drop in service where people can pop in for a coffee, take part in crafts and activities, have a cake or play with the animals.

Some of the people who have already registered may be simply living in isolation or looking to make friends - but the importance of facilities like this where people can get talking has never been greater with the recent celebrity focus on mental health issues and the tragic death of TV presenter Caroline Flack.

Sessions are run at the care farm on Thursday mornings from 8.45pm to noon- thanks to funding from the Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT).

Chris and Hannah Blevins have spent the last two years creating a unique environment on their small farm to help people with autism, dementia, depression and PTSD, as well as other mental health issues.

Their vision is to create a vibrant hub for the whole community to experience their world of animals, activities, wildlife, the outdoors and the satisfaction of being part of creating something lasting.

The staff at The Askefield Project include Inspector Cluso, Hannah's favorite pet sheep who lives in the barn, Boris the donkey, Rory the pony, a flock of Kerry Hill sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, Wally the goose and ferrets.

"We were disappointed to have just missed out on enough votes to get People's Project funding to build a Toolshed, but thanks to other funding we have been able to carry on with #ASKfriends and The Toolshed in our barn - these are our two projects for the year," said Hannah.

"We have been able to carry on our Care Farm facility on a Tuesday to those clients who can access personal budgets or can self fund."

#ASKEfriends is a chance to make friends, get active, learn new skills, interact with the animals or spend some time in our polytunnel and sensory garden.

"Clients are asked to wrap up warm but we have been able to have the barn rewired and installed heaters so we can carry on projects through the winter."

The Toolshed (#toolshedlincs), is from 2pm until 6pm also on a Thursday afternoon, although the hours will change in the warmer spring and summer months.

Clients can learn new practical skills or have skills to pass on to others - making anything from a bird box to a duck house, like Duckingham Palace on the farm.

Funding has also been secured from LPFT for a new Return To Work project, which starts next month for 10 weeks.

"It is for people who are close to being ready for the job market and is aimed to help build their self-esteem, help with CVs and prepare them for interviews." said Hannah.

"People who would most benefit are the over 50s, especially those wanting to get back into work after bringing up a family or sickness."

Other upcoming events include the popular Lambing Open Day on Saturday, April 11, and a Comedy Project with bar on Wednesday, May 13.

For more details, visit the Askfield Project on Facebook.