Down on the farm - photography at Pathways Care Farm

In March, I began an exciting new part-time position with Cambridge Curiosity and Imagination as Charity Manager. I'm really enjoying the role and the community I've become a part of!

Within my first month, I participated in a Green Social Prescribing Day in Stowmarket, where I met Geoff from Pathways Care Farm. He shared an inspiring story about the activities on his farm. After the event, inspired by what he'd shared that day, I contacted Geoff and offered to volunteer some of my time to expand his image library of farm photography.

I arrived on a gorgeous sunny morning and was introduced to the team working on the farm that day. It was immediately evident that I would be documenting a community rather than just a workplace. After a briefing about the day's tasks, Geoff took time from his morning to show me around the site, introducing me to both the workers and the animals. He shared that 10 years ago, the site was nothing but a large bramble patch, and it was incredible to see what had been developed from a wasteland.

After touring the farm, I spent more than two hours exploring my own pathway around the site and taking photographs. The goats were amusing; when I entered their paddock, they initially just observed me. Soon after I started taking pictures, they all began walking towards me, curious about my activities. Since one of my cameras was hanging at my waist (within nibbling range), I decided to step outside the fence to continue taking photos. The goats were very friendly and kept poking their heads through the fence, seeking pats and attention. I think they were a bit puzzled when I didn't stop photographing them to give them some pats! All the animals appeared very friendly, accustomed to human interaction, and had shiny coats, which to my untrained eye seemed to indicate they were well cared for.

Geoff explained to me how individuals from diverse backgrounds visit the farm and become part of the Pathways community, and the focus is on what people are capable of rather than their limitations. I feel in my short time there this was demonstrated over and over again. Everywhere I turned were pairs or teams of people, all helping together in their own way.

The atmosphere at the site was friendly, calm, and accepting. I was surprised by how relaxed and refreshed I felt afterward compared to other similar photoshoots and, realised that the farm's general peace, quiet, calmness, and positivity had likely contributed to this. Hearing about Geoff's work at the Green Social Prescribing event was insightful, but visiting his farm and seeing his words reflected in reality was truly fantastic.