A FARM in Chudleigh dedicated to providing work experience for the elderly and people with special needs has been forced to close because of funding cuts, writes Ellen Grindley.

Advantage Point has been helping clients with learning disabilities, dementia, wheelchair users and the mentally ill aged from 11 to 85 since 2012, providing adapted facilities to run activities in animal care and horticulture.

It was run privately on the 70-acre Rattycombe Farm at Milestone Cross and had won glowing testimonials from families and social care providers.

Last month, they started art and craft sessions and a mechanic workshop.

But in an announcement, owner Paul Edwards and Debbie Allerton said the business would have to close at the end of January.

Debbie said: ‘The main reason is government cut backs and funding issues.

‘Paul and myself have gone to great lengths to try to keep this business afloat but to no avail.

‘It has been a very long and hard decision to reach but one we feel we must regretfully make.

‘We would like to wish both old and existing companies and clients the very best for the future and appreciate the cooperation, dedicated and support from all who have helped by volunteering and supplying goods, without all of this support we would never have been able to continue for as long as we have.

‘We have been very fortunate to meet some truly wonderful and helpful people and have felt very privileged to be able to support and interact with all our clients past and present with great success.

‘We have helped to change many lives during the course of our business and are very proud.

‘We will take with us many happy and fun memories.’

Supporters expressed their sadness at the closure on social media.

Esther Heath said: ‘I don’t think anyone apart from you both could have dedicated so much and gone without in an effort to make it work.

‘You should both be very proud.’

Helen Bawden said: ‘I am so sad to hear this.

‘It is so sad government cuts and the likes are killing what is a true quality experience that makes all the difference to a person with learning difficulties and I saw it with my own eyes.’

Richard Keeling added it was the ‘loss of a much needed community facility.’

Relatives of clients who have accessed the farm’s service have heaped praise on the couple.

The wife of an 85-year-old dementia sufferer explained how they had tried various day centres with no success.

Following a recommendation from their doctor to try Advantage Point, her husband attended and took to it straight away.

His experiences had ‘changed our lives’.

One service provider from a residential home said one of his clients has become more focused, calmer and attending the farm had resulted in a ‘dramatic decline’ in his behavioural problems.