A former farmer is setting up a mental and physical wellbeing farm for people in need in Somerset – and is looking for supporters to get her not-for-profit venture off the ground.

Pip Langdown and a small team of volunteers have found the perfect 60-acre farm with a house, annex, farm buildings and polytunnels, which they plan to turn into a working care farm venture to support people with social isolation, mental and physical health issues. Pip has been offered a 75% mortgage, and now needs to raise the final £475,000 to get over the final hurdle.

"One in five of us will suffer from a well-being issue in our life, and we want to be there to help," says Pip. "A survey of Somerset residents in 2022 found that the most common issue was mental health and wellbeing (77%), closely followed by loneliness and social isolation (64%). Despite an extra £13 million funding granted in 2019, Somerset has continued to suffer a rise in diagnosis and prescriptions, and a lack of mental health services."

The farm will be open to people who are over the age of 60, have learning or physical disabilities, are ex-services personnel, or who have been referred via adult social care. "We want to provide a safe and inclusive space where people can experience the calm of nature and the benefit of physical exercise to improve mental health and battle social isolation," explains Pip.

Clients will be able to get involved with activities in an outdoor environment, from growing and harvesting fruit, vegetables and flowers, to feeding hens and collecting eggs and helping out with the large animals. "We also want to create a small wildlife area to help local native birds and small mammals, plant native trees and hedging and introduce bee hives at some point."

Income will be generated from fresh produce sales, social referrals, short holiday stays, and commercial store cattle. But as a registered Community Interest Company, surplus income will be reinvested back into the project. "Having already secured the mortgage, we just need some extra help to get us over the line," says Pip, who suffered her own mental challenges a few years ago, triggering her to turn something negative into something positive for the wider community.

The group have entered a Crowdfunder competition, which needs to raise £1,000 by the end of July to be in with a chance to win a £10,000 first prize. They are also offering a 5.75-6% PA return on investment for larger sums.

"We're not here to duplicate services - we're here to fill a vital gap," notes Pip. "Existing mental health services are stretched, and too many people are left behind. We believe everyone deserves community, nature, and purpose. With your support, Merry Moos can bring that to life."

·        For more information or to invest, visit www.merrymoosfarmproject.com

·        To donate to the Crowdfunder visit https://cutt.ly/PrUxOxRQ