Nothing’s Changed … But Everything Has

Here at Crag House Farm, the home of Caring For Life, so much has changed, just as it has across the UK, and the world, due to the pandemic. But in a way, nothing has changed, because Spring has arrived, lots of wild and garden flowers are coming into bloom and there are lambs in the fields. 

The horses and ponies are still being cared for and exercised, the hens are laying and eggs are being graded.  The Farm Shop is open and busy with customers calling to collect food. The phones are ringing and some things need to carry on “as normal”. 

But everything has changed, because the Farm is such a quiet place without all the many ladies and gentlemen who would normally attend therapeutic projects here, right through each weekday.

There is no noisy chatter, or sudden outburst of laughter and there are very few cars around. The other social enterprises are closed and there is hardly any aircraft noise either. So the sounds of Spring can be very clearly heard, as skylarks sing over the farm and curlews call. We would far rather have a noisy farm, and we very much look forward to the day when people will be able to return to their activity projects. In the meantime, a small team continue to care for the livestock and the farm, and key workers are kept extremely busy ringing each person, staying in touch, dealing with issues and sorting the delivery of essential food, medication and so forth for those who cannot leave home at all and have no other help in place.

We pray for each of those supported by Caring For Life, that they will be assured we are still here for them, but that they will put their faith in God and His unchanging love.

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#CFL #CaringForLife #Coronavirus #FoodParcels #AroundTheFarm #CragHouseFarm

Caring For Life’s 33rd Birthday

Friday 28th February was Caring For Life’s 33rd birthday. Birthdays need to be celebrated, and we try to do that here at Caring For Life! All those who were attending daytime projects here at Crag House Farm that day enjoyed a photocall first thing in the morning, then a get together over lunch, followed by an afternoon of fun and games!

The birthday is always a time for reminiscing and story-telling about various things that have happened over the 33 years. That can be both moving and hilarious. It’s also a time for really thanking God for all He has done through this ministry over the years.

Sunday 1st March was the date of our annual Rededication Service for staff and volunteers, with an afternoon service held in a packed local church, at which one of our trustees, Paul Pease, gave a very encouraging message, and staff and volunteers rededicated themselves to this ministry.

A tea followed, which is always a wonderful opportunity to catch up with our amazing volunteer workforce, to chat, share news and just thank them for their incredible commitment, which literally enables our work to go ahead, day by day.

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#CaringForLife #CragHouseFarm #ChristianCharity #SharingTheLoveOfJesus #33rdBirthday #RededicationService

Getting An Early Start

Despite a snowy beginning to the week, with more snow forecast, and in spite of the stormy weather and waterlogged fields, in the glasshouses here at Caring For Life, we are trying to get an early start with preparations for spring and summer!

Growing bedding plants, vegetable plants and shrubs for sale means that pricking out of plug plants and tiny grown-on seedlings, as well as the potting up of young shrubs, all has to take place at this time of the year.

It makes the horticulture project a hive of activity, in a light-filled,  warm and safe environment, whatever the weather outside.

This enables lots of opportunities for those on the horticulture project to learn skills. Everyone also learns to work well as a team, whilst enjoying plenty of laughter, down amongst the geraniums, peppers and aubergines, to name only a few of the plants they are now growing!

#Caringforlife #Craghousefarm #Horticulture #Glasshouse #Daytimeactivities #Nurseries