Fit For Farming Booklet

The project targets farmers and individual who are working in an isolated profession to improve health, wellbeing and self-esteem of farmers living in rural areas of Conwy.

The project is looking to trial producing a bilingual booklet and to supply a copy to every farm holding in Conwy to encourage people who might not be confident or feel comfortable to go and speak to a health professional. Farmers and farming families across the UK are highly susceptible to poor mental wellbeing, including stress, anxiety and depression.

We worked in partnership with the Farming Community Network (FCN)

The Farming Community Network is a voluntary organisation and charity that supports farmers and families within the farming community through difficult times.

They have a network of over 400 volunteers across England and Wales, many of whom are involved in farming, or have close links with agriculture, and therefore have a great understanding of the issues farm workers and farming families regularly face.

They have helped thousands of people deal with a variety of issues, including financial difficulties, animal disease, mental health and family disputes. The volunteers "walk with" the members and help them find a positive way through their problems - for as long as it is needed.

Farming is not just a job - it's a way of life. But it is also an inherently risky and volatile industry to work in. Farmers are regularly forced to deal with issues on the farm that are beyond their control, such as animal disease, fluctuating market prices and the weather. Farming can also be a very isolating and lonely occupation, with farm workers often spending long hours out in the field with little or no form of social interaction.