News: Wathwood Hospital opens farm shop

Wathwood Hospital in Rotherham has opened their own farm shop with the help of the Rotherham Enterprise Project.

The shop is run as a social enterprise and sells fresh produce including fruit, vegetables, plants and flowers, hand-crafted gifts and jams, pickles and chutneys. The majority of goods are grown and produced on site with additional produce sourced from local markets, offering the local community an opportunity to buy ethically and reduce food miles.

It was created to provide patients of Wathwood Hospital and others who are in the process of overcoming a mental illness by providing training and skills opportunities, which would allow them to gain valuable experience in horticulture, retail and catering.

The Farm Shop opted for a Community Interest Company (C.I.C.) structure as they felt it fitted with the business's social aims, which focus on equipping the patients of Wathwood Hospital with the ability to integrate into the community. The Board behind the enterprise consists of local residents, patients, local business people and hospital staff. Patients get involved in every stage of the businesses, from sourcing suppliers to selling in the shop.

Voluntary Action Rotherham (VAR) and The Source (Meadowhall) have assisted the team to develop a viable business. VAR are part of the Rotherham Enterprise Project, which is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and helps budding entrepreneurs turn their business dreams into reality by offering dedicated coaches who provide business support and advice.

Steve Ball, General Manager of the Hospital said: "Providing patients with opportunities to gain valuable vocational skills and training is proving to have a significant positive impact on levels of motivation and wellbeing and on the recovery process. In addition, the shop offers a great opportunity for patients to interact with the public in a work environment and break down barriers and the stigma associated with mental ill-health."

Professor Mike Cooke, Chief Executive of Nottinghamshire Healthcare added: "I am delighted to have the honour of opening the Wathwood Hospital farm shop. This is a truly great initiative which will provide real benefit not only to our patients, but also the hospital staff and the wider community."

Voluntary Action Rotherham website

Images: Wathwood Hospital