SIX occupational therapy students at the University of the West of England have been enjoying volunteering outside in the Dartmoor countryside as part of their training.

The six students were taking part in Widening Occupation Weeks at Coope Care Farm near Okehampton, set up to provide opportunities for 'hands on' experience of voluntary work.

Their task was to build four raised garden beds which will be used by marginalised adults at the care farm. Coope Care farm is run by qualified occupational therapist Emma Middleton.

Emma said: 'It was wonderful having the volunteers here, they embraced the challenge of the work despite the mud; the sun shone and there was lots of laughter. I'm passionate about giving a new generation of occupational therapists the opportunity to see what they can do.'

Care farms are a growing branch of therapy which use the ever changing farming calendar to encourage marginalised people to reach their potential.