Having suffered with depression, and also seeing the effects it can have on farming families, I wanted to help raise some money and awareness for Mental Health within farming. 

Statistics show that 1 farm worker takes their life each week in the UK. This is just too much and as an industry we need to do more about it and break the stigma. 

Farming is a tough gig, long hours, a physical and often isolated job, fluctuation in markets and weather problems lead to all kinds of financial and mental stress in the job. 

Its ok to talk. We farmers are a stubborn lot, often thinking its best to keep it all in and not share our burden. But a problem shared is a problem halved. The FCN are here to offer support to you or a family member or friend who needs it. They are a fantastic charity run by volunteers who need funding to keep running and doing the amazing work they do! Its about changing your mindset and learning resilience to help you and your farm and family in today's uncertain farming climate. 

Everyone who donates on this page goes into the draw to win a Christmas Wreath or nominate someone if you would like to on your behalf. The video link is here: https://youtu.be/ygu_Jo8Qlh8

About the FCN: For 25 years The Farming Community Network (FCN) has been supporting the farming community and wider industry through difficult times. BSE, Swine Fever, Foot and Mouth, Bluetongue, flooding and more recently Covid-19 through all these challenges, FCN has been there to walk with those who have needed us the most. As we have experienced throughout our history, with uncertainty ahead it is widely anticipated that the workload of FCN will increase in the future.

FCN’s aim now is to be much more focussed in helping build personal and business resilience in those that turn to us for help. To this end, in September 2019, we launched a brand new initiative called FarmWell.

FarmWell is a one-stop online resources hub to help you and your farm business stay strong and resilient. FarmWell is full of vital information from a wide variety of sources. It is free to use and it has three aims:

• To keep your farm business resilient through change,
• To help you, your family and your staff to stay resilient through change
• To provide support and help to anyone who needs it.

You can start using FarmWell by visiting www.farmwell.org.uk.