MALCOLM’S STORY: CARE FARM

We received this email from Malcolm today and are overjoyed by his response. Lovely to know that we have supported him and hope to help even more people transition into the land-based sector. We hope to continue to support Malcolm in the future and wish him all the best, couldn’t be prouder:

Hi Sami and Anna,

I’d like to let you know how grateful I am for your help and would like to tell you my thoughts on what you do.

My Rural Week was a life changing experience. I was not sure what to expect, but the support I got from the both you (Anna and Sami) was excellent. When I got to the college, Plumpton staff were great – could not do enough for me. When meeting the other HighGrounders at the Rural Week, they were all from different walks of life, but the banter and support was just like being back in army life.

I thought the week’s programme was both very entertaining and informative at the same time. All the speakers were extremely knowledgeable and able to present and pass on practical and great advice and guidance. I feel that the Rural Week will be extremely beneficial to all who are interested in working within the land-based sector.

As you know I am very interested in running a smallholding and a Care Farm with the advice and guidance from HighGround and those I met during the Rural Week. I decided I needed to know more so applied for a BSc (Hons) Animal Management course at Hadlow College and, to my surprise, I received a place and started last September. It’s very hard but also worthwhile.

I now have goals for when I finish and, if I can find some land, I hope I’ll be able to open or work on a Care Farm/smallholding, to help other Veterans, their families, and possibly children in the care system.

HighGround has made me happier, confident, and feeling more positive regarding the future.

Thank you so much,

Malcolm