A FARM near Colchester is helping vulnerable people to cope with their problems while offering an escape for a day.

Four-legged friends are being used to assist people with mental health and learning disabilities with help from Wellies-On at Butterfly Lodge, Abberton.

The Mersea Road farm, which provides therapy sessions, also helps young people who are struggling in school and those fighting addiction.

Managing director Ellie Goff, who runs the farm with husband Warren, uses pigs, horses, chickens, goats and guinea pigs to interact with visitors.

During a recent visit care professionals were taught about the benefits of having contact with nature and interacting with animals.

Mrs Goff said: “It was a brilliant day in spite of the infamous British weather, which delivered sun, showers and hail stones for our 50 or so guests who came equipped wearing wellies for the day.

“We gave everyone a tour of the farm so that meant they got to cuddle and bottle feed goats, toast marshmallows in our fire pit in the woods, groom our horses and hear from other professionals about how using the farm has helped people in their care.

“Interactions with animals have been shown to improve health and wellbeing, especially in terms of mood and socialisation.”

The trips have proved so popular some of the animals have even gone on tour.

The farm took some of their animals out on the road during their ‘flat-pack’ farm initiative.

Organisations using the therapy farm include Autism Anglia, the Perry Clayman Project for people recovering from addictions, CoCo Care for people with learning difficulties, Colchester Institute and an NHS Foundation Trust.

To find out more about volunteering and fundraising events visit wellieson.com or call 01206 735453