A FARM is set to continue its animal-assisted therapy sessions thanks to a charity grant.

Dedham Community Farm has been handed a £1,000 donation from Persimmon Homes Essex.

It has come from the housebuilder’s Community Champions scheme, which sees a pot of £24,000 donated to groups and charities.

The farm will be using its donation for its Nurture Dogs therapy sessions which can be held in schools, hospitals, care homes or someone’s home.

Katie Oatham, farm manager, said: “It is fantastic to receive a £1,000 donation from Persimmon Homes Essex and this will go a long way towards some of our upcoming projects.

“We help people of all ages with a variety of challenges in their lives including mental health problems, autism, depression, social anxiety, dementia, low self-esteem and confidence issues.”