https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/wellbeing-support-for-farmers/
Wellbeing support for farmers
On this page, we've gathered a list of organisations offering wellbeing support to those in the farming community.
This page is new and we're happy to make updates and inclusions. Email sarah.stewart2@defra.gov.uk
For business support:
- The Farming Resilience Fund provides free, independent business support to farmers. If you’ve received direct payments since October 2022, you’re eligible.
- The Farming Advice Service (FAS) provide free, confidential advice to farmers and advisers.
- Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) helps farmers in England protect water, air and soil. CSF advisers can provide advice on best practices and specific SFI actions that will benefit your farm business and the environment.
National organisations
The Farming Community Network
The FCN supports anyone in the farming community, with a focus on farmers and farming families. You can talk to someone about:
- depression
- isolation
- long-term illness
- accidents
- alcohol or drug dependency
- your business
- family
- farming matters
Call 03000 111 999. The helpline is available every day of the year, 7am to 11pm.
All calls are confidential.
Email: help@fcn.org.uk
Mind
Mind's support line is a safe space for you to talk about your mental health. Advisers are trained to listen to you and help you find specialist support if you need it.
Call: 0300 102 1234. The helpline is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm (except bank holidays).
RABI
RABI offers practical, financial and emotional assistance to farmers. They offer:
- an online chat service
- in-person counselling
- mental health training
- information, advice and guidance
- financial support
Call 0800 188 4444. The helpline is free and available 24 hours.
Samaritans
If you need someone to talk to, a Samaritan will listen.
Samaritans created a specific page to support mental health in the farming community.
Call: 116 123. The helpline is free to call and available 24 hours.
There are other ways to speak to a Samaritan. You can meet someone in person, write to them, use their online chat service or send an email.
Yellow Wellies
Farm Safety Foundation is tackling the stigma around risk-taking and poor mental health, ensuring that that next generation of farmers is resilient and equipped with smart strategies and specific skills to live well and farm well. They have a number of resources to help.
By County
Bedfordshire
Provides mental health support specifically for those involved in farming and other rural businesses.
Call: 0300 323 0400
Berkshire
Farming Community Network (FCN)
Offers a listening ear and pastoral support for farming families and individuals.
Call: 03000 111 999. The helpline is available every day of the year, 7am to 11pm.
Email: help@fcn.org.uk
Buckinghamshire
Farming Community Network (FCN)
Offers a listening ear and pastoral support for farming families and individuals.
Call: 03000 111 999. The helpline is available every day of the year, 7am to 11pm.
Email: help@fcn.org.uk
Cambridgeshire
Provides support to farmers and rural businesses in crisis.
Call: 07922 568472
Cheshire
Cheshire Agricultural Chaplaincy
Provides pastoral support and signposting for the farming community.
Call: 07967 559 594
Cornwall
Offers practical and emotional support for farmers and their families.
Call: 01736 367589
Cumberland
Cumberland & Westmorland Farm Support Group
Provides help and advice on a wide range of issues affecting farmers.
Call: 01768 868615
Derbyshire
Provides pastoral care and support for those in the farming community.
Call: 07710 088972
Devon
Offers a confidential service for young people in rural areas.
Call: 0300 111 999
Dorset
Provides mental health support including tailored services for rural communities.
Call: 01202 551660
Durham
UTASS (Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services)
Provides mental health and wellbeing support to the farming community.
Call: 01833 641010
Essex
Provides mental health support specifically for those involved in farming and other rural businesses.
Call: 0300 323 0400
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire Farming Friends
Offers practical help and emotional support to farmers and rural communities.
Call: 07435 609950
Hampshire
Provides a wide range of mental health and wellbeing support services.
Herefordshire
A charity raising mental health awareness and offering support to farmers.
Call: 0808 802 0070
Hertfordshire
Farming Community Network (FCN)
Offers a listening ear and pastoral support for farming families and individuals.
Call: 03000 111 999. The helpline is available every day of the year, 7am to 11pm.
Email: help@fcn.org.uk
Huntingdonshire
Provides mental health support specifically for those involved in farming and other rural businesses.
Call: 0300 323 0400
Kent
Provides support to the farming community in Kent.
Call: 07946 599169
Lancashire
Provides healthcare support including mental health to the rural community.
Email: admin@fieldnurse.co.uk
Leicestershire
Provides help to farmers and their families, including financial and emotional support.
Call: 0300 111 999
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire Rural Support Network (LRSN)
Offers confidential support to farming families in times of crisis.
Call: 0800 138 1710
Middlesex
Farming Community Network (FCN)
Offers a listening ear and pastoral support for farming families and individuals.
Call: 03000 111 999
Norfolk
Provides mental health support specifically for those involved in farming and other rural businesses.
Call: 0300 323 0400
Northamptonshire
Farming Community Network (FCN)
Offers a listening ear and pastoral support for farming families and individuals.
Call: 03000 111 999. The helpline is available every day of the year, 7am to 11pm.
Email: help@fcn.org.uk
Northumberland
Offers support for farmers and their families, including expanding its services to Northumberland.
Call: 01768 868615
Nottinghamshire
RCAN (Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire)
Provides support to rural communities facing challenges due to rurality.
Call: 0115 6975800
Oxfordshire
Farming Community Network (FCN)
Offers a listening ear and pastoral support for farming families and individuals.
Call: 03000 111 999. The helpline is available every day of the year, 7am to 11pm.
Email: help@fcn.org.uk
Rutland
Rural Community Connections (RCC)
Aims to create well connected rural communities where people enjoy good physical, mental, social, and economic well-being.
Call: 0800 772 0045
Shropshire
Offers confidential support to those in farming and rural communities.
Call: 0300 123 2825
Somerset
There to make sure anyone with a mental health problem has somewhere to turn for advice and support.
Call: 0800 138 1692
Staffordshire
Provides information and support to the farming community in the Peak District.
Call: 01692 810903
Suffolk
Provides mental health support specifically for those involved in farming and other rural businesses.
Call: 0300 323 0400
Surrey
Farming Community Network (FCN)
Offers a listening ear and pastoral support for farming families and individuals.
Call: 03000 111 999. The helpline is available every day of the year, 7am to 11pm.
Email: help@fcn.org.uk
Sussex
Farming Community Network (FCN)
Offers a listening ear and pastoral support for farming families and individuals.
Call: 03000 111 999. The helpline is available every day of the year, 7am to 11pm.
Email: help@fcn.org.uk
Warwickshire
Supports farmers through events and resources focusing on health and welfare.
Call: 07780 159291
Westmorland
Cumberland & Westmorland Farm Support Group
Provides help and advice on a wide range of issues affecting farmers.
Call: 01768 868615
Wiltshire
Farming Community Network (FCN)
Offers a listening ear and pastoral support for farming families and individuals.
Call: 03000 111 999. The helpline is available every day of the year, 7am to 11pm.
Email: help@fcn.org.uk
Worcestershire
Provides mental health support specifically for those involved in farming and other rural businesses.
Call: 0300 323 0400
Yorkshire
Provides comprehensive support to farmers across Yorkshire and Cumbria.
Call: 01768 868615
