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 FCPEngagement@defra.gov.uk
For business support:
- 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
Addington Fund
Addington Fund supports farmers when they need help the most. By providing housing and emergency assistance, such as animal feed and essential services, it helps farming families across England and Wales recover from hardship. Whether facing a crisis like extreme weather, illness, or retirement from a farm tenancy, the charity offers practical, timely support to help people get back on their feet.
To learn more about Addington Fund or to request support:
Call: 01926 620135
Email: enquiries@addingtonfund.org.uk
For emergency forage requests, contact forageaid@addingtonfund.org.uk
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).
Papyrus
Papyrus is a young person’s (U35) suicide prevention charity. Papyrus runs HopeLine 24/7 which is available all year round for anyone in need of urgent, confidential support.
Call: 03001022470
Text: ‘HOPE’ to 88247
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Perennial
Perennial is the UK charity supporting people working in horticulture and related industries, including those in farming and land-based roles. It provides free and confidential advice, emotional support and financial assistance to individuals and families facing difficult circumstances.
Call: 0800 093 8543
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.
Shout
Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone in the UK who is struggling to cope, including farmers experiencing stress, isolation or mental health challenges. It provides immediate support from trained volunteers by text, which can be helpful where phone access or privacy is limited.
Text: SHOUT to 85258 to start a conversation.
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
Cambridge Rural Support Group
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
Farming Health Club supports farmers and agricultural workers by providing access to confidential health screenings, wellbeing advice and practical support. It works with rural communities to improve both physical and mental health, helping people manage the pressures of farming life.
Call: 01736 367589 or 07775 667825.
Email: jon@farminghealth.co.uk for more information.
Cumberland
Cumberland & Westmorland Farm Support Group
Provides help and advice on a wide range of issues affecting farmers.
Call: 01768 868615
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
Derbyshire
Provides pastoral care and support for those in the farming community.
Call: 07710 088972
Provides information and support to the farming community in the Peak District.
Call: 01629 810903
Devon
The Dartmoor Hill Farm Project supports hill farmers and commoners on Dartmoor, helping them manage the challenges of upland farming. It provides practical advice, business support and guidance on issues such as financial pressures, land management and sustaining farm livelihoods in a remote rural setting.
Call: 01822 890913
Offers a confidential service for young people in rural areas.
Call: 0300 111 999
Exmoor Hill Farming Network supports hill farmers on Exmoor by offering business advice, training and access to funding opportunities. It works with farmers to help them adapt to change, manage pressures on their farms and maintain sustainable upland farming systems.
Call: 01643 841455
Dorset
Provides mental health support including tailored services for rural communities.
Call: 01202 551660
Sherborne Deanery Rural Chaplaincy
The Rural Chaplaincy offered by Sherborne Deanery provides pastoral care and support for people in farming and rural communities across Dorset. Rural chaplaincy volunteers offer a listening ear and can help farmers dealing with isolation, stress, bereavement and the day‑to‑day pressures of farming life. They can also signpost to specialist support when needed.
Call: 07966 754110
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
Operating through the Hereford Diocese and the Shropshire and Marches Methodist Circuit, Borderlands Rural Chaplains work in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Eastern Powys. They are a confidential, listening ear offering pastoral support to farmers, farming families and agricultural communities, ranging from a single phone call to continuing pastoral care.
Call: 07973 361055
Herefordshire Rural Hub supports farmers, landowners and rural businesses by providing advice, guidance and access to services that help manage the pressures of running a farm. It brings together organisations to offer support on issues such as business resilience, wellbeing, isolation and adapting to change in the farming sector.
Call: 01432 268428
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
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
Lancashire
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
Provides health and wellbeing drop-in clinics at Clitheroe, Gisburn and Brock Auction Markets for for farmers and rural workers of all ages.
Call: 07815 099748
Leicestershire
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
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
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
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
Operating through the Hereford Diocese and the Shropshire and Marches Methodist Circuit, Borderlands Rural Chaplains work in Herefordshire, Shropshire and Eastern Powys. They are a confidential, listening ear offering pastoral support to farmers, farming families and agricultural communities, ranging from a single phone call to continuing pastoral care.
Call: 07958 591646 or 07531 676832
Offers confidential support to those in farming and rural communities.
Call: 0300 123 2825
Somerset
Exmoor Hill Farming Network supports hill farmers on Exmoor by offering business advice, training and access to funding opportunities. It works with farmers to help them adapt to change, manage pressures on their farms and maintain sustainable upland farming systems.
Call: 01643 841455
There to make sure anyone with a mental health problem has somewhere to turn for advice and support.
Call: 0800 138 1692
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
Offers support for farmers and their families, including expanding its services to Yorkshire and Cumbria.
Call: 01768 868615
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
Yorkshire Rural Support Network (YRSN)
Yorkshire Rural Support Network (YRSN) offers practical and emotional support to farmers, farm workers and their families across Yorkshire. It provides confidential help with issues such as stress, isolation, financial pressures, and the challenges of running a farm, and can connect people with specialist advice and local services.
Call: 01423 546050
