The Little Retreat On The Farm

Aim

I'm aiming to create a retreat space on our farm designed specifically, with people have suffered from strokes and brain injuries in mind

My Mission: 

In 2013, my Dad who had been a farmer in all his life suffered a life-changing stroke, losing the majority of his sight, his stability and completely altering his personality. He discovered after receiving an Indian Head massage in hospital, his symptoms lessoned. So I decided to go back to college to study Indian Head Massage and Complimentary Therapies to help and support him.

In an effort to continue the work at our family farm so that my own children will be able to also grow up with it in their lives, I am now hoping to turn my hobby into a business and raise money to create a new retreat space for everyone, including those who have suffered brain illnesses, so that guests can have treatments, some rest and recuperation and enjoy the amazing views and fresh air. The space will be able to be outsourced to other therapists, available for use by charities to hold groups and workshops and for treatments. Any money raised I will be eternally grateful for and will go towards creating this space which I hope will help to improve people's lives and wellbeing.

My Story: 


My name is Katy... I'm a thirty-something twin mum who grew up on our working family farm near Bishop Auckland in County Durham in the North East. After leaving home for uni, I worked for various public sector organisations, managing events and marketing projects which I really enjoyed.

One busy snowy day in 2013, I received a call from a family member explaining my Dad had suffered a life-changing stroke and I needed to come home asap. My Dad was really fortunate as things could have been a lot worse but as a proud working farmer, my Dad really struggled mentally coping with the loss of his sight and struggled with his new stability issues. No longer able to drive or see the way he used to, the life he'd lived changed almost over night. 

During his time in hospital, a volunteer masseuse had offered him an Indian Head Massage which he'd accepted and after he was convinced his vision had improved. After receiving a treatment, he did appear to be able to find objects easier but regardless of whether it was a placebo effect - his mood improved and he became much more positive. 

So I decided to pay for a college course to learn how to give Indian Head Massages and more about complimentary therapies. It became a bit of a hobby for me and over the last six years whenever friends or family needed a pick me up I gave them a treatment. 

Then in 2019 my Dad's health suddenly started to decline and he began suffering regular mini strokes affecting his speech, face and again his mental health. He'd already lost the ability to farm and we had sold our animals and rented the land out but now he was also loosing the ability to cope with all the chores which went with managing a farm and renting it out. 

It was during last year that I came up with the idea for The Little Retreat - to transform a space on our farm into a safe, calming, accessible place for people of all ages to come for some time out and/or to receive a treatment with an area for mental health groups and charities to use to host their events and workshops.

As it stands I currently give treatments on a second hand portable chair and table which can be moved to people's homes or offices. I would love to raise enough money to create a purpose made space on the farm for treatments with a new massage bed and outdoor space to enjoy the incredible views, to be able to help not only people like my Dad but anyone who just feels they need a calming space to go to for some time out to relax.

About Strokes:*

A stroke is a brain attack. It happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, killing brain cells. Damage to the brain can affect how the body works. It can also change how you think and feel. The effects of a stroke depend on where it takes place in the brain, and how big the damaged area is.

As we age, our arteries become harder and narrower and more likely to become blocked. However, certain medical conditions and lifestyle factors can speed up this process and increase your risk of having a stroke.

Sadly there are over 100,000 strokes each year (that’s one in every five minutes).

There are 1.2 million stroke survivors in the UK. 

Why I need your help: 

I have saved up myself to help support the start up costs of The Little Retreat, currently operating on a mobile basis, so any help is greatly appreciated. I have big dreams and although this all starts out with creating a small accessible and eco friendly space for people to enjoy treatments and a community space for mental health groups and charities... I'd love it to be so much more. 

Natwest 'Back Her Business' will kindly donate £500 to help fund The Little Retreat, if we can raise £450. Any money raised during the campaign will help go towards equipment and creating the retreat space for guests to enjoy. If successful I hope to not only start providing more treatments but also to be able to build on the outdoor space available at The Little Retreat so that people can enjoy time before and after treatments or book it separately. 

By showing an interest in my campaign, you are helping to promote my brand and raise awareness about Strokes and the life-changing affects they can have. It would be amazing if you could share it with your friends and family, and post the campaign on your social media channels. 

Thank you so much for your time reading this and for your support - it really means a lot to me and my Dad. Katy x

*Information taken from The Stroke Association 2020 https://www.stroke.org.uk/ 

This project successfully funded on 8th April 2020