The Farming Community Network Cymru (FCN) is holding a free event to address loneliness and isolation in the farming community on September 22, at Gwernyfed Rugby Club, Talgarth.
A personal speech will be made by FCN ambassador and north wales farmer Will Evans at the event, which kicks off at 7:00 p.m.
At the family friendly event he will be addressing his own struggles with loneliness he has experienced on his farming journey.
“It can be challenging in farming to find the time to get off-farm to attend events or to meet new people,” Will said.
He said the event “is a great opportunity to come together, to share experiences and to remind ourselves we’re part of a supportive community”.
Sheep shearing commentator and local farm liaison officer will also be there on the night as “compere”.
FCN
FCN is a charity and voluntary organization that supports families and farmers within the farming community. Its services include help with business, help with health, help with farming, and help with family.
FCN’s assistance is provided by volunteers and is free and confidential. It runs a helpline and e-helpline which is open from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. seven days a week.
According to FCN, it has traveled over 130,000 miles to support farmers needing assistance.
According to a study by University of Exeter and The Farming Community Network on the topic of loneliness and farming, loneliness was found to be linked to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
According to the British Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy (BACP), three people in the UK farming and agricultural industry die by suicide every week, and male farm workers were three times more likely to take their own lives than the national male average.
“Worryingly, we expect these figures to rise as the cost-of-living crisis exacerbates the longstanding challenges farmers already face – including higher living costs, known as the rural premium, increased rates of loneliness, and isolation,” BACP chief executive Anna Daroy said.
