Where to find farming support in difficult times
Farming is uniquely challenging at any time. In the agriculture sector, poor mental health and personal resilience are some of the biggest threats to the industry. When facing challenges, it’s important to share problems and concerns with family, friends and people who can help.
There are a number of resources you can access and many charities which offer specialist help to anyone involved in agriculture or living in a rural area.
Their practical advice, guidance and support makes a huge difference to many in the farming community.
Guides and Resources
- Download the Princes Countryside Fund directory of national and regional rural support organisations.
- Download the Farm Safety Foundation‘s ‘Little Book of Minding Your Head‘ (a pocket guide to understanding mental health and stress)
- Read the Fit for Farming (Men) and Fit for Farming (Women) booklets which offer advice on changes you can make to have a positive effect on both body and mind
- Watch a Mental Health Roundtable Series of webinars from AHDB.
- Listen to podcasts from AHDB: Your health is your wealth and How a positive mid-set can help work-life balance
- FarmWell offers guidance on personal resilience and runs a helpline
If you are worried that someone is in immediate danger call 999 – stay with them until help arrives, if it is safe to do so. If firearms are involved – ALWAYS call the police
The FCN is the first port of call for pastoral and practical support for anyone in the farming community, with a particular focus on farmers and farming families. The helpline is available every day of the year, 7am to 11pm.
The YANA Project provides confidential support, mental health awareness and funding for counselling for those in farming and rural trades in Norfolk, Suffolk and Worcestershire and has compiled, published and funded a directory of regional support groups and key national charities which can specifically help those in the rural communities.
The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution offers financial support to farming people of all ages facing hardship. Every application for support is treated on its own merit, working with compassion and discretion. Support is offered on both a short-term and long-term basis, with many becoming ‘full beneficiaries’ of the charity, receiving ongoing payments.
Provides homes for farming families in England and Wales who have to leave the industry through no fault of their own. Hardship grants are also available, at the trustees’ discretion, in times of emergency.
RSABI offers practical and financial support and friendship to more than 600 individuals and their families working on the land in Scotland. Working with people from a wide range of occupations including farming, crofting and growing, the team works to support anyone who asks for help and is within their scope, in the strictest confidence.
