Rediscovering Life After Stroke: How Farm Volunteering Helped Mike on the Road to Recovery

Mike discusses how Swansea Community Farm helped him recover after his stroke

Fourteen years ago, Mike from Swansea suffered a major life-changing medical emergency. At just 50 years old, he suffered a stroke that affected him not just physically but emotionally. It was thanks to many interventions, including the Farm that helped him rehabilitate and get back on his feet. Mike recently popped into the Farm to chat about his time here and discuss how it helped him on the road to recovery. 

How did your story begin Mike?

“14 years ago, when I was 50, I had a stroke. It was a really hard time, and I was really struggling. Before my stroke I was a woodwork teacher for 5 years in different schools and I’d always earned good money, basically, I'd worked since I was 16 in engineering. Then suddenly, I had nothing. I was at a low ebb. Once I’d had the stroke, my confidence had gone because the left side was basically not working and as a woodwork teacher with one arm, it isn’t the best. I’d been in engineering all my life too and it became obvious that I wasn’t capable of doing the job.” 

What made you decide to volunteer at the Farm?  

“I first came to the Farm with ‘Headway’ for the day (*Headway is an organisation that provides support services to those affected by a brain injury). I enjoyed it so much here I started volunteering off my own back. I volunteered here off and on for about 2-3 years. It was a good team and a great experience for me.” 

What was so special about the Farm to make you want to volunteer for so long? 

“My confidence at the time was shot if I'm honest. I used to work on aircraft you know, and I'd lost that sense of achievement and confidence. I didn’t think I’d ever teach or work again. The farm was great in as much as it was like ‘do what you can’. This place really made me feel, not only that there was work, but that life was worth living for because I did doubt it if I'm honest. Looking back (and I don’t talk about this very often), I was struggling and for whatever reason coming to the farm sounded like a positive experience. I don’t normally open up like this but it was a very, very tough time on me mentally”. 

What do you think would have happened if you didn’t volunteer at the Farm? 

“It could have gone quite bad if I'm honest. Things were not good for me - but the farm was great, and it definitely helped me. The confidence I built was the main thing and not having the stress of ‘have you finished yet’ or ‘how long are you going to be’. Which is the way it was at work. But slowly it comes back, even the use of your arm.  

There wasn’t as much mental health awareness even just 14 years ago. There was a stigma attached to it as well as a head injury. There weren’t many places you could come to like the farm.

I would like to think I helped other volunteers with some of my skills too. I remember some of the volunteers now and they have been here since then, all this time, which just shows that people wouldn’t come back if it wasn’t a great place to be".

Obviously, you’re a trained engineer and you brought lots of knowledge and skills to the Farm, but did you take any skills away from the farm? 

"At first even just making a gate was a massive achievement to me, using bits of pallets and making stuff out of whatever resources we could find. It meant a lot to me. I learnt lots of things that I have taken on. Being confident and just a simple skill like learning how to make bird boxes. The farm helped me. It felt like it was worthwhile and it was a step in the right direction without a doubt because now I don’t get any benefits. The farm really built me up and now I'm back at work and I still make those bird boxes at my job in Gower College."

So, you went back to teaching? 

“No, not teaching but I work in Tycoch college now as an engineering technician. I didn’t honestly think I could have stood up in front of class but to be honest the kids don’t care that I've had a stroke. 

I honestly think just being out at the farm and seeing plants growing and planting potatoes or strawberries or whatever showed me that things can grow and improve, and they did. It's priceless here.  

I'll definitely come back to volunteer when I’ve retired. I really believe in it. It’s something that’s worth doing. If the farm wasn’t here it would be a lot worse for a lot of people.” 

Not only is Mike working as an engineering technician, but he is also a committee member at Headway – the organisation that first helped him on his journey to recovery. Thanks to Mike for taking the time to chat with us. Mike’s story really illustrates the hidden power and impact of the Farm on an individual’s life.

If you would like to support our volunteers, please do consider monthly giving. Your monthly donation, no matter what the amount, will go towards helping hundreds of people on their recovery journey. Diolch.  

For more information on volunteering opportunities, please email info@swanseacommunityfarm.org.uk