A care farm has been awarded a grant to provide mental health support for teenagers.

The National Lottery has given Longlands, near Worcester, £279,000 to help the farm provide specialist mental health support for young people in the area.

The grant will allow the farm to provide support for the next five years.

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The farm, which was founded in 2010, provides alternative education and mental health support for teenagers who are struggling in the classroom.

The farm now has 30 young people learning practical skills and working with animals each week.

The grant will fund two specialist mental health practitioners to work one-to-one with up to 15 students per week.

The farm said the grant will also allow for therapeutic intervention, further staff training, and a second ‘break out’ space for individual work.

Julia Evans, Longlands founder and CEO, said: "More than half of our referrals benefit from mental health intervention.

"Students may be referred to us for behavioural issues, but when we understand and try to help with the underlying problems, we see their behaviour and enjoyment of life improve radically.

"It’s very encouraging to be given a grant of this size.

"But we see the need – and the benefit from what we do – every day."

Mark Molloy, chair of the Longlands board, added: "We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded a five-year grant.

"It is an acknowledgement of both the quality of the work being delivered by the team, plus confidence in the longer-term future of Longlands and the expertise that's being built up within the service."

One parent of a student said: "Longlands really has changed my son’s life.

"I can’t tell you the comfort it gave me knowing he was somewhere safe and with people who understood his needs and how to treat him properly.

"Never underestimate the impact you have on these young people and their whole families."

Richard Rainbird-Hitchins, assistant headteacher at Aspire Academy, said: "Longlands Farm has been transformative for our pupils.

"Working with animals and engaging in hands-on learning outside the classroom gives them a sense of purpose and achievement that supports both their mental health and general wellbeing."