Make the time to talk and listen

The Straw Patch Project

A safe outdoor space to nurture wellbeing and positive mental health.

Explore our Gardening Gallery

Connect with nature and experience its therapeutic benefits.

Welcome to The Straw Patch Project

A mental health and wellbeing community group

Welcome to the Straw Patch Project, a nurturing community dedicated to promoting mental health and wellbeing through meaningful connections with nature, animals, and each other. Located amidst the tranquil surroundings of Strawfields, our project offers a safe and supportive environment where individuals can rediscover joy, build resilience, and find peace in the simplicity of rural life. Whether you join us for gardening, spending time with animals, or simply to share a moment of calm, there’s something here for everyone.

The Power of Nature for Wellbeing

At the Straw Patch Project, we believe in the transformative power of nature to heal and inspire. Surrounded by the serene beauty of Strawfields, participants can take a moment to breathe deeply, listen to the birds sing, and feel the gentle rhythm of the natural world. This connection with nature fosters a sense of calm, encourages mindfulness, and helps reduce stress, creating a profound impact on mental and emotional health.

About Us

Alex and Sarah are the co-directors of The Straw Patch Project. The Project was started in 2020 with the vision of creating a supportive community where individuals could connect with nature and improve their mental wellbeing. Since its inception, the Straw Patch Project has supported many different groups, offering tailored activities that nurture resilience, foster connection, and promote emotional healing. Their shared passion for nature and community drives everything they do, ensuring every participant feels valued and supported.

Alex

Sarah

Alex – Co-director and Activity Leader, Straw Patch Project

Alex lives and works at Strawfields and has a deep love for the outdoors and animals. As an activity leader for the Straw Patch Outdoor Activity Group, she supports participants in a wide range of hands-on farm life activities, including animal care, creating fun play spaces for the animals, fencing, building bridges, and repairing fences.

Each session also includes the chance to come together and enjoy a shared homemade lunch – celebrating community, connection, and social interaction at its very best.

These sessions are designed to support positive mental health while encouraging social connection, teamwork, and plenty of laughter along the way. And of course, Inca – our unofficial therapy dog – is always nearby, happily greeting everyone and adding an extra dose of joy. 

Sarah – Co-director and Activity Leader, Straw Patch Project

Sarah is our activity leader for gardening and creative workshops, bringing her passion for growing and nurturing plants into every session. She created Patch to Plate, a hands-on project where participants plant, care for, and harvest seasonal vegetables—both outdoors and in our polytunnel—before helping to cook and enjoy shared lunches made from our own seasonal produce grown at Straw Patch.

These sessions build confidence, support wellbeing, and foster meaningful connections, whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or completely new to gardening and creative activities.

Sarah also leads a variety of crafting workshops, sharing her love of making and encouraging others to explore their creativity in a relaxed, welcoming way. She enjoys passing on practical skills she has learned over time, from simple crafts to making hand creams using flowers she has grown and picked herself. For Sarah, these workshops are as much about slowing down and enjoying the process as they are about creating something useful to take home.

Gardening for Wellbeing

Make the time to talk and listen

Our gardens are the heart of the Straw Patch Project—a space where hands in the soil can help soothe the mind. Participants can take part in a variety of gardening activities, from planting seasonal vegetables and flowers to tending to our thriving herb beds. Gardening offers more than just fresh produce; it provides an opportunity to:

  • Connect with nature and experience its therapeutic benefits.
  • Develop a sense of accomplishment and purpose.
  • Engage in gentle, stress-relieving physical activity.

Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or new to gardening, our supportive community is here to help you grow—both in the garden and within yourself.

Healing Through Animals

companionship and moments of mindfulness

The animals at Strawfields play a vital role in the Straw Patch Project, offering companionship and moments of mindfulness. Spending time with our gentle alpacas, curious goats, friendly pigs and miniature ponies can help participants:

  • Experience the calming presence of animals.
  • Build confidence and improve emotional wellbeing through interaction.
  • Enjoy the simple joy of caring for and feeding our friendly furry friends.

Our animals create a non-judgmental, peaceful space where participants can relax, reflect, and rediscover a sense of connection with the world around them.

Explore our Animals Gallery

Unjudgmental, kind and gentle

Join Us at The Straw Patch Project

Get creative, get outdoors & grow together

The Straw Patch Project is a welcoming outdoor activity group for adults aged 18+ who are physically mobile and agile. Our sessions are all about learning new skills, connecting with others, and enjoying time in nature in a supportive, relaxed environment.

What You Can Get Involved In

Gardening
Help nurture our green spaces as you learn to care for fruit trees, design garden areas, and create a brand-new permaculture garden.

Skill Sharing
Exchange practical skills such as sign making, flower bed construction, fence building, and more—or bring along your own talents to share with the group.

Cooking
Learn to prepare delicious meals using fresh, homegrown ingredients and take part in cooking for our shared group lunches.

Creative Projects
Design and build animal spaces like pig pens and goat climbing frames, create wooden planters, or capture the beauty of the farm through photography and nature-inspired art.

Alpaca Experiences
Spend time with our gentle alpacas and enjoy their calming, friendly company.

Farm Skills
Try your hand at fencing, animal care, landscaping, and other practical farm activities.

A Group for Everyone

Whether you have practical skills to share, are keen to learn something new, or simply want friendly company while staying active outdoors—this group is for you.

Session Details

  • Tuesdays: 9:30am – 2:30pm

  • Lunch provided (suggested £2 weekly donation)

  • FREE transport can be arranged to and from Ilfracombe

Join us for a FREE, fun, supportive, and engaging experience where you can learn new skills, build confidence, and enjoy the wellbeing benefits of spending time outdoors.

Contact Sarah to sign up or to find out more

thestrawpatchproject@gmail.com