Farmers in Norfolk and Suffolk were told that the country’s leading farming welfare charity is planning to expand its support – as a new survey revealed that nearly half the UK’s farmers are feeling a level of anxiety, with over a third experiencing feelings of depression.
The role of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) in supporting the farming community was the focus of the final NFU/Lovewell Blake Farmers’ Evening of 2022, which took place in Halesworth.
Lucy Bellefontaine, the charity’s regional manager outlined how RABI supports members of the farming community, offering guidance, financial support and practical care to farming people of all ages, as well as confidential support to those who currently work within agriculture and those who are no longer able to work in the industry due to ill-health, accident or age.
Ms Bellefontaine revealed a long list of challenges which affect the mental and physical wellbeing of farmers, ranging from isolation, financial worries and labour shortages, through to unpredictable weather, crop and animal disease and long hours.
She revealed that the charity gave out £3.2 million of grants to support individuals and families in the first ten months of 2022, more than double the amount given in the last full year before the pandemic. RABI is aiming to quadruple the financial support it is able to provide by 2024.
But she also emphasised that financial help was only part of the story; providing support for mental wellbeing, as well as training and upskilling, is also an important part of what the charity does.
The extent of the challenges facing farmers was highlighted by the results of a survey carried out for RABI by Exeter University amongst more than 15,000 farmers, which showed that 47% of farmers feel some level of anxiety (this rises to 58% amongst women), and 36% experience feelings of depression.
Physical health challenges are also an issue, with more than 50% of farmers experiencing pain and discomfort, and 21% experiencing problem undertaking farming tasks.
Earlier at the event, farmers heard from Alex Dinsdale from Suffolk Coasts and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, who talked about the funding which is available to support farming in protected landscapes.
“Often our Farmers’ Evenings focus on technical innovations and policy matters, but it was both important and useful to spend some time looking at some of the welfare issues facing people working in the sector – and to hear what help and support is available,” said Ryan Lincoln, agricultural partner at Lovewell Blake, who chaired the meeting.