The Dairy House
The Direct Access Community (DAC) is an innovative project forged out of a partnership between Mendip District Council, Addicott Partners (Manor Farm) and the Connect Centre which launched in 2015 and is called the Dairy House. In addition to the services you would expect from a Direct Access service in terms of pro-actively working through a support plan, DAC operates as a community house. This has been spearheaded by Suzanne Addicott.
Our Residents
The residents cook and eat together, and engage in a number of structured activities including art, pottery, animal care and hedge-laying. This approach is focussed on a wholistic preparation for the next steps after leaving the farm. As part of the activities and wholistic treatment for residents a community garden was developed enabling volunteers from the local community and residents to come together and farm produce together.
We are a Community Interest Company (CIC) and our vision is to end rural homelessness.
Our mission is to improve health and wellbeing for adults, some with complex needs, primarily those who are rurally homeless and rough sleeping.
Dairy House
Root Connections is key to the wrap-around care & support provided to residents of the Dairy House (Direct Access Hostel) and to the wider community. By offering creative social and therapeutic pathways, our project re-connects vulnerable adults with complex needs to community life. The project aims to build confidence, re-engages, develops social skills and offers practical help around re-skilling and re-training for work & a more sustainable future.
Farm & Land
We have just under 2 acres based on a beautiful Dutchy Farm at Manor Farm in Stratton- on-the-Fosse, within which we grow vegetables, salad, seasonal cut flowers & potted perennial plants in the garden and our 3 polytunnels. The produce that we grow is used in numerous ways to connect with our local community and to continue to fund the project.
We regularly attend local farmers markets where we sell our fresh vegetables, honey and cut flowers, and we have links with local restaurants and farm shops who support us by using our produce.
The residents staying with us on-site in the Dairy House are welcome to use as much of the fresh produce as they like in their daily cooking, and where possible we turn our fruit & veg in to jams, chutney & pesto.
We also deliver veg boxes and flower bouquets within the local area and love how this connects us to our neighbours and community. If ever we have a glut of produce, we share it with local community projects, fridges & food banks/pantries.
Our Volunteer Team
In addition to our team members listed below we have an amazing team of volunteers that help out on our community garden two days a week. If you’re interested in volunteering with us click on the button below.
At Root Connections we are fortunate to have an experienced and committed team of staff and voluntary directors.
Founding Directors - Suzanne and Rob Addicott
Suzanne and Rob are two of the founders and visionaries behind Root Connections. Living at Manor Farm, they were driven by a desire to use the farm as a force for positive change—supporting the local community and helping to address rural homelessness.
As directors of Root Connections, they play an active role behind the scenes, supporting both the garden and the on-site homeless hostel, Dairy House, where their commitment helps ensure residents are welcomed, supported, and able to rebuild their lives.
Cathy Bushill - Educational Lead
I joined Root Connections in December 2020 having recently retired as a senior leader within primary education. I am a resident of Stratton on the Fosse and am passionate about adventurous community projects that enable creative learning and understanding.
I am hoping to support the development of our Community Hub; connecting schools and groups to the project
Siobainn Chaplin, Director of Compliance & Safeguarding Officer
Siobainn is the most recent Director to join the board & has a wealth of knowledge regarding compliance & is Head of Safeguarding & Support at The National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain.
Since joining the Board of Directors Siobainn has updated our policies, training, safer recruitment & continues to support the growth of the organisation.
Steven Dring - CEO
Steven is a forward-thinking CEO, entrepreneur, mentor and advisor with deep experience in growing mission-driven businesses and charities. He is passionate about bringing his corporate and start-up experience to the charity sector guiding them through key stages of change, scale, fund raising and investment. His strategic roles and advisory work, provides support to founders, directors and trustees to build their organisations.
Lily O’Dowd -Head Gardener
Lily joins us from Highgrove House in Tetbury & before that; Bridewell Organic Walled Garden, a mental health recovery service in Oxfordshire. Lily is passionate about addressing societal issues, transforming lives & supporting health & wellbeing - she’s also a jolly good gardener.
Joely McGrath - Community Hub & Volunteer Coordinator
With a background in education and running community classes, Joely draws on her experience to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere at Root Connections for our volunteers, service users and community visitors. She is passionate about fostering connection among members, supporting wellbeing, and ensuring everyone feels valued within Root Connections CIC. Joely is not a gardener, but it is her mission to be able to name all our veggies and flowers by the end of 2026.
Sam Copsey – Gardener
Sam is a skilled gardener and craftsman, always ready with the right tool for any task around the site. Volunteers can get to know Sam if they are involved with harvesting on Wednesdays. With his positive energy and knack for creating a lively atmosphere—complete with a great music soundtrack— Sam makes hard work enjoyable. His hands-on expertise and upbeat nature make him an invaluable part of the Root Connections CIC team, inspiring others with his practical know-how and infectious enthusiasm.
Rachel Stewart – Administrator
Rachel S brings a wealth of experience from many
years working within the charity sector, offering
invaluable insight and practical guidance to the
team at Root Connections. Her organisational skills
ensure the smooth running of daily operations, and
she is always on hand with sound advice for her
colleagues. In addition to her role here, Rachel
works as a Career & Leadership Coach for the
voluntary sector
Markus Mohn - Social and Therapeutic Horticultural
Practitioner and Beekeeper
Markus is passionate about nurturing the ongoing evolution of our community garden, seeing it as a living space that brings people together and fosters inclusion. With a keen interest in beekeeping, he keeps hives at Manor Farm which allow us to produce our very own honey. Markus also specialises in the therapeutic benefits of gardening, using his experience as a Social and Therapeutic Horticultural Practitioner to support individuals and small groups in finding wellbeing and calm through working outdoors. His commitment helps make our garden a nurturing and welcoming place for all.
Lex Tibbs – Florist and Social and Therapeutic
Horticultural Practitioner
Lex brings her expertise as both a Social and Therapeutic Horticultural Practitioner and a Florist to the Root Connections team, where her deep love for the great outdoors shines through on our Tuesday and Friday Volunteer Mornings. Having spent the last decade working as a therapeutic practitioner across a range of settings, she is passionate about using gardening to promote wellbeing and nature connection. Lex also runs her own CIC, 'Flowers for Good.'
Our Partners
Addicott Partners
Our partners in providing the land to grow the produce, as well as in running workshops.
The Dairy House
Is a unique direct access hostel providing emergency housing for men and women aged 25 and over who are homeless or rough sleeping. This is our partnering beneficiary of all profits and proceeds.
Connect Community Trust
Connect Community Trust is a charitable organisation dedicated to supporting rough sleepers and people affected by homelessness, exclusion, and crisis in rural Somerset.
Built on years of trusted community work, we exist to provide stability, dignity, and real opportunities for individuals facing some of the toughest challenges in life.
Somerset Community Foundation
Generously provided the seed money to begin Root Connections as a Community Interest Company.
Community Lottery Fund
Our regional Grants Officer has supported us with grants, provided funding for development work & continues to support us with our five year strategic vision.
Connect Community Trust
In early 2018 The Connect Centre won some funding from Somerset Community Foundation to set up a Community Interest Company, which is a not-for-profit company where any profit goes towards ending homelessness. Our partnering charity oversee the management and running of the Dairy House and provide the additional wrap around support needed to give residents the best possible chance of recovery and positive progression.
We are a Community Interest Company (CIC)
Our project is based in Somerset, UK. If you want to get in touch with us please use the link below.
New Fruit Productions
Our Root Connections film was produced and edited by our friends at New Fruit Productions. Check out their website and portfolio using the link below or email hello@newfruit.co.uk.
