7 December 2009
Rt. Hon. Francis Maude MP will visit Care Farming West Midlands at Top Barn Farm, Holt Heath, Nr. Worcester this Thursday 10th December.

Francis Maude is Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, with responsibility for preparing the Conservatives implementation of its manifesto, should the party win the next General Election.Care Farming West Midlands is a social enterprise that has been set up to help establish care farms in the West Mercia area. The headquarters is based at the Top Barn farms industrial estate.

Several care farms exist on the Top Barn estate, helping children with special needs, pupils from the Pupil Referral Unit and drug users on probation. Mr Maude will meet Jonathan Dover, Policy Manager; David Chantler,Chief Probation Officer, West Mercia Police, local County Councillor Alwyn Davies, Cabinet member Phil Gretton and many others involved in the project.

Harriett Baldwin, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for West Worcestershire, who organised the visit, said "I am so pleased to be able to show this project to the Conservative leadership and leaders from the County Council. The results of care farming are positive for children with special needs, children from pupil referral units and drug users on probation. I am keen to publicise the fantastic work of local care farms as they transform lives of some of the most disadvantaged local people for the better."