Farm visits for young people are enriching lives and creating community

We’re helping young people who are blind and vision impaired to thrive by funding LOOK UK, which alongside mentorship programmes also delivers farm life experiences with Jamie’s Farm.

People who are blind and vision impaired are more likely to experience loneliness and isolation than the general population. Our Insight Report, Outside delves deeper into the issue of how people who are blind and vision impaired experience loneliness and isolation.Contrary to some beliefs, we also know that younger people are experiencing the highest level of feeling lonely, with 37% of 16-25-year-olds saying that they feel lonely some or most of the time, according to the UK government.

Megan, from LOOK, who is VI herself, knows how valuable these visits to the farm are: “Things are particularly tough for young people with visual impairment. Research shows what we already know, and that is that children and young people with a visual impairment often struggle with depression, anxiety, isolation, and feelings of low self-esteem, and at Look, we really want to change this.

Funding visits across the country

We know how important it is to feel connected to a community and find your tribe. Our mentoring events and resources help people to face challenges and feel less alone. In partnering with the Fight for Sight and Jamie’s Farm on this project, we are really hoping to give young people the opportunity to make friends, try something new, boost their confidence, and feel the benefit of being in nature for their mental health.”

We funded visits for up to 10 young people to four of Jamie’s Farm locations around the country (Lewes, Bath, Skipton and Hereford). Our Communications Assistant, Louis Hendry, joined them ‘down on the farm’ in Lewes to discover why this enriching experience is vital in creating connections and a sense of joy.

To find out more about LOOK UK’s work with young people visit their website.