Working with Farmers and the food and farming sector
Before counselling, I worked in agriculture for almost 20 years. My career took me from development projects in Africa to farmers’ kitchen tables across the UK and gave me a profound respect for those working in the industry.
However, farming is a high risk occupation - not only physically, but also emotionally and psychologically. Intense workloads, long hours, disease, unpredictable weather, family tensions, market volatility, rural isolation, political uncertainty - the list of factors that farming families have to deal with is lengthy.
I travelled the world to analyse the unique issues faced by farming communities and explored numerous initiatives dedicated to improving farmer and grower wellbeing. I presented my findings in the form of my Nuffield report ‘Supporting Farmer Wellbeing’ in 2016. As a Nuffield Scholar, I am committed to staying at the forefront of research and development in farmers’ mental health. I am proud to serve as a trustee to an award-winning charity dedicated to supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of the UK's farmers - The Farm Safety Foundation.
I remain a passionate advocate for agriculture and have a particular interest in working with farmers and those who live and work in rural areas. I’m also an experienced speaker and provide mental health training for agricultural groups and businesses.