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New AgriWellbeing Alliance launched at LAMMA

Posted 15 January

A new AgriWellbeing Alliance has been

The Alliance is a newly formed coalition initially pulled together by the Crown Estate, Mates in Mind, National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC), IOSH Rural Industries Group, Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies), and Farming Community Network (FCN).

The vision of the new Alliance is to work towards a farming sector where mental health and wellbeing is prioritised, supported, and openly discussed. This will include supporting farmers and those who visit farms and become 'accidental counsellors’.

The weather, political uncertainty and increasing costs continue to put the farming industry under increasing pressure, and recent surveys highlight that farmers continue to suffer poor mental health with low business confidence plaguing our sector.

Keith Knowles from the Crown Estate said: “Agriculture, with its concerning statistics of serious incidents and mental health challenges, is an industry that we should take every opportunity to support in driving initiatives that embed safety and mental health as a core priority in the agricultural sector.

“We have a great opportunity to do this through listening to and working with our farming families, along with using our broader convening power, to promote awareness, to signpost to those organisations that can provide support and to thrive to build a resilient and healthier farming community for future generations.”

Jill will be on the FG Live Stage, Hall 9, on the Alliance Panel discussion on Wed at Discover the work of , why a coalition was formed & how it affects people on the ground in .

— The NAAC (@TheNAAC)

Jill Hewitt, NAAC Chief Executive, added: “Agricultural contractors can be under extreme pressure themselves but may also take on the concerns of their customers. Talking is a great healer and its fantastic if the industry can share its worries, but we also need to be certain that everyone is properly supported with help signposted.”

The new Charter (below) is being launched at LAMMA and the Alliance is asking rural landowners, farming families, mental health organisations, agricultural contractors, agricultural advisors and all those that cross the farm gate to join in working together to create positive change for the future of farming.

Leaflets and Gingerbread men ready for our panel launching the AgriWellbeing Alliance, Hall 9, 2pm, FG Live stage

— David Christian Rose (@d_christianrose)

The Alliance founding organisations are delighted to be working with the support of Professor David Rose, Elizabeth Creak Chair in Sustainable Agricultural Change and his team at ÁÕÀÅÊÓƵ. They have developed a survey that has been sent out to agronomists, land agents and contractors who all visit farms.

Professor Rose said: “The academic research shows the importance of expanding the safety-net of support available to the farming community. Our initial findings are showing that land agents, agronomists, and contractors  - amongst others - are being confided in by farmers and these advisors would like more support.

"Equipping these ‘accidental counsellors’ with the knowledge, confidence, and support to look after their own mental wellbeing, as well as to spot signs of stress in farmers and signpost them towards sources of help, is vitally important."

Petra Martin, Agrii Group Head of Health & Safety, IOSH Rural Industries Group Vice-Chair described the experience within Agrii: “Our agronomists and advisors directly experience the impacts that the challenges in farming have on our customers, as well as on them individually.  This alliance will spotlight all the great support available in the agricultural industry, improving awareness and facilitating access to essential services. There is strength in aligning with others to increase the volume of our individual voices; together, we can help drive change.”

The opportunity to bring expertise together and through collaboration and partnership have tangible impact is what brought Mates in Mind into the Alliance. Sam Downie, MD Mates in Mind felt the charity’s resources and experience could support progress being made quickly and with investment targeted at enhancing materials and refining effective interventions, rather than reinventing.

Georgina Lamb from the Farming Community Network shares Sam’s commitment to collaboration between charities, and said: “FCN are delighted to be part of the alliance and fully supports the mission.  The staff and volunteers at the charity fully understand the challenges our industry face so tackling the stigma of mental health and normalising those difficult conversations we all sometimes face can only be a positive way of ensuring a healthy and sustainable farming community.”