What a beautiful morning we had. Dedham Therapy Farm welcomed us to the gorgeous Area of Natural Beauty - sometimes known as Constable Country - on the Essex/Suffolk border.

Megan from the farm welcomed the Goodgym herd and alongside a few other volunteers we set about the physically demanding and fairly precise task of planting saplings. There were two types of bush with various root lengths and we alternated them so that they will grow together into a bushy hedge! We also wrapped them in plastic cylinders to protect them from farm and wild animals like deer and Mable, a charismatic and cheeky goat, showed exactly why with a naughty nibble! The ground was hard and a lot of power was needed.

The flock managed to plant 85 bushes, that spanned one of the paddocks, fueled by tea and biscuits that Jade and Vanessa heroically provided. Not to mention Ian's home made muffins!

It was such a pleasure to be out in the fresh air and to help a special charity. Dedham Therapy Farm is home of the Nurture dogs but they also have pigs, goats, chickens, geese, sheep, ponies and more - we loved meeting Mable the cheeky goat, Pepper the pig with her impressive tusks and Fred and Barney the donkeys. They bring the human-animal bond to as many people as possible in a person-centred way using Occupational Therapists to tailor what the farm can do in the most inclusive way.

Thank you Dedham Therapy Farm!

Despite a little horsing around, we did not make a pigs ear of the job and we have just goat to come back soon.