Burgh Castle farmers donate part of home to support others

Peter and Sandy Riches, who own a farm in Burgh Castle, have allowed mental health charity Norfolk and Waveney Mind to set up a refuge in a farmhouse on their land.

Oak Tree short stay recovery house is a facility which provides a safe place for people suffering a mental health crisis to stay while awaiting further care.

(Image: Norfolk and Waveney Mind)

Speaking to mark World Mental Health Day, Mr Riches said the family had made the farmhouse available to the charity following the tragic loss of a close friend.

He said: "I think most people know someone who has had mental health troubles and bereavements.

"After someone we knew took their own life, we wanted to see if there was anything we could do to help make a difference for other people who are having mental health difficulties."

(Image: Norfolk and Waveney Mind)The farm setting means Oak Tree offers a different environment to the charity's other safe houses, with the family making its two goats available for therapeutic purposes.

The couple still own the property but have given it over to be used by the mental health organisation.

Mr Riches added: "The farmhouse is a really nice building, a typical old traditional farmhouse. I grew up there.

"The surroundings have got an orchard and a pond and it's peaceful and quiet, which is what people need.

"We've got a small number of animals here and we like the fact we can make them available for clients at the short stay recovery house to see.

"I think people do sometimes react to animals better than humans if they've got problems."

Sonja Chilvers (Image: Norfolk and Waveney Mind)

Sonja Chilvers, interim chief executive of Norfolk and Waveney Mind, said: "We're hugely grateful to the Riches family for their help in enabling us to set up and run this house, which is making such a difference to people in east Norfolk who are experiencing poor mental health."