After more than a decade providing life-changing therapy to vulnerable children through the healing power of animals, a much-loved local farm is facing an uncertain future.
Dave Buscombe, founder of Dave & Ewe, has been told he must vacate the farm he's rented for the past 12 years, after receiving notice that his lease will be terminated next September. The land is set to be redeveloped, and planning proposals already prepared.
For Dave, the news has been deeply upsetting. “I’ve been doing this work for 18 years,” he said. “It’s not just a job - it’s my life. I work primarily with children, many of whom have experienced trauma, and I help them heal with the help of animals.”
The unique therapy model at Dave & Ewe doesn’t rely on clinical settings or direct conversations about children’s problems. Instead, Dave uses the stories and behaviours of animals - many of whom have had difficult lives themselves, to gently mirror and explore what the children are going through. “Each animal here has got the same problem as the child,” Dave explains. “And we talk about that. The children realise they’re not alone. I give them confidence. I teach them humour. In some cases, I teach them how to love again.”
Over the years, Dave has built relationships with local schools, social services, homeschooling networks, and even Wiltshire’s Youth Justice Team, offering a safe space for children who often have nowhere else to turn. Despite this vital service, Wiltshire Council has so far been unable to help him secure a new site. “I’ve contacted them, but they haven’t got anything suitable,” he said. “It’s a pity. I take most of my children from within the county.”
The farm is currently home to around 200 animals, including rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, alpacas, and more. All of them have been specially trained—not in tricks or obedience, but in empathy and connection. “I don't like the word ‘train’, but I teach the animals how to interact with people. They make people feel better.”
Running the farm is not a commercial venture. “I don’t make a profit,” Dave said. “I actually get a little back from the taxman most years. But I don’t think you should profit from people’s misery. I charge the bare minimum - or nothing at all if families can’t afford it.”
The clock is now ticking. While the lease officially ends in September 2026, the academic year finishes in July, meaning that Dave will need to start winding down and potentially relocating animals in just nine months.
His biggest concern is having to rehome any of the animals he’s worked so hard to rehabilitate. “These are very, very special animals,” he said. “I put a lot of work into them so they actually can help.” His ideal solution? Around 20 acres with a barn, somewhere between Trowbridge, Swindon, and Corsham, although he says he’s now open to relocating further afield if it means saving the farm.
Alongside Dave, the farm is run with the help of his assistant Katie, who works directly with the children. A handful of volunteers help with the animals, but only Dave and Katie are qualified to provide the therapeutic work that has become the backbone of the farm’s mission.
Dave & Ewe also hosts group visits and, occasionally, offers alpaca or goat walks - free of charge - for those in need. “I don’t do it commercially,” Dave adds. “Some of the kids who come here, I don’t charge anything at all. They just need it.”
As redevelopment plans move ahead and the deadline to vacate looms, Dave is appealing to the local community for help. Whether it’s land, funding, or just awareness, any support could make the difference between closure and continuity for this extraordinary place of healing. If you can help Dave find a new home for Dave & Ewe, or want to support his work, donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/4dwfqx or contact https://daveandewe.co.uk/contact-us/
You can listen to the full interview on Eartunes Radio tomorrow - The Big Drive Home with Chris & Chloe at 4pm.
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