James Cartlidge MP & Jo at Hilly Ridge Alpacas in Wattisham. Picture: Office of James Cartlidge
The personal and social benefits of interacting with alpacas have been brought to the fore at a Suffolk farm, which has been rejuvenated after surviving the struggles of Covid-19.
Hilly Ridge Alpacas in Wattisham says business is thriving, since it secured vital funding to expand its offering, to include education and job skills programmes.
The farm invested in new facilities to provide placements for West Suffolk College students with learning difficulties and disorders, such as those with autism.
Funded by a discretionary back-to-business grant, the facility is also working alongside Inspire Suffolk, to support young adults struggling to find employment by developing their skills and confidence.
Jo Bridge, co-founder of Hilly Ridge Alpacas, said the funding had enabled them not only weather the Covid storm, but also grow beyond where they were prior to the pandemic.
She told Suffolk News that, at the height of lockdown, they faced significant financial uncertainty, because the unique nature of their business and premises made them ineligible for practically every Government Covid grant.
“Just before Covid, the business was doing really well,” said former police officer Jo, who has been breeding alpacas since 2012. “We were getting busier and were just starting to work with local schools and colleges.
“Then, Covid hit and we had to close. At the time, we had three staff and we managed to keep one going.
“Unfortunately, we fell through every loophole for Government grants, mainly because we’re a farm site, so we weren’t eligible for council tax or business rates relief.
“We fell through everything and, at that point, I nearly broke, and then I was contacted by Babergh District Council about a grant that we might be eligible for.
“With that support, we could keep going and, from that, we’ve grown and now have a really thriving business.”
In addition to continuing their popular alpaca trekking experiences through the countryside, Hilly Ridge Alpacas also attends care homes to serve as therapy animals for elderly residents.
Jo stated that the new educational facility has also allowed them to welcome people to the farm throughout the year, in all weathers, for the first time.
She explained that the benefits of the educational initiatives are already shining for the students who have participated so far.
“As a result of the grant, we’ve been able to help students with job skills and now, each and every one of them has a new job,” she said.
“We had one person who had anxiety about job interviews, and he now works for us, because he was so good with the alpacas.
“We work with people with autism or learning disorders. They come to us and learn to speak to people and grow in confidence.
“We also still do the alpaca experiences. We always say that we like to make memories and smiles.”
South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge, who recently visited the farm in Clay Hill Lane, hailed Hilly Ridge Alpacas as a post-Covid success story.
“It was a pleasure to visit Hilly Ridge in Wattisham to meet their herd of 60 alpacas,” he said.
“I was very pleased to hear how they were able to expand their business after receiving a back to business grant following the Covid pandemic.
“This enabled them to include an educational faculty to support people who face educational challenges or difficulties with finding employment.
“This is a brilliant initiative and I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Hilly Ridge.”
Published by the Suffolk Free Press.
