Vets join charity to attract youngsters to farming careers

A veterinary practice in Essex has partnered with the Country Trust to help introduce the countryside to children less likely to be able to access it.

Westpoint Farm Vets, in Chelmsford, says it hopes the new partnership with the national education charity could also expand interest in the farm vet profession beyond its traditional recruitment base.

See also: NFU brings farming to life for Britain’s primary school pupils 

Next generation

“We are delighted to get involved in this charity and support the great work they’re doing,” said Ami Sawran, practice principal at Westpoint Farm Vets.

“There are problems in the countryside with finding the next generation of farmers, and this is an opportunity to introduce more young people to rural life and farming.

“It presents the children with fresh career opportunities, as they may not have considered becoming the farmers, farm vets or stockpersons of the future,” said Dr Sawran.

Farm visits

The team at Westpoint said they aim to develop a community of farmers who would be willing to host visits for the children to give them an opportunity to find out where their food comes from, as well as learn about animal welfare and the care vets provide.

The aim is to inspire a new generation of farm vets, with the partnership formed by one of Westpoint’s own vets – Navaratnam Partheeban – who is a trustee of the charity.

Dr Sawran added: “We hope we can inspire the next generation of vets and they will consider being a farm vet as a realistic career path.

“None of the vets in our Chelmsford branch is from a farming background. If we can explain that to the children, they will see they are not at a disadvantage, and we can show them the opportunities available.”