Orchard Origins

We improve the mental wellbeing of participants by restoring and managing orchards in Herefordshire. Fruit is used to produce a range of food and drink which is sold. Groups may have a common issue or may be open to all comers, depending on the needs of the most vulnerable, but we prefer to be task-focussed without pressuring individuals to perform; this removes the explicit focus from wellbeing (or illness) and onto helping wildlife by improving the condition of the orchards. There is a wealth of evidence that working outdoors does indeed improve wellbeing, and we also provide a sociable atmosphere in some stunning locations. Through our food production activities we are also able to offer practical experience and qualifications which can support people into employment in an area where jobs are typically readily available and where a background of offending, mental ill-health or other exclusion is not generally the barrier it may to other employment.