Working with Farmers

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.

One of the exercises during the workshop helped me become more aware of one of my default settings, which is to want to ‘fix’ others, to cheer them up and help solve their problems, although this may not always be helpful nor what the other person needs. A few days after the workshop I received a phone call from a farmer client who was in considerable upset and distress. I was able to use some of the techniques I had learnt. I switched off my default mode and didn’t try to save him. I gave my client time to talk and listened to him and it felt fine.

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Anonymous (Workshop Participant)

Counselling

Individual counselling, both face-to-face and online over a secure webcam link.

Workshops & Training

Tailored training sessions on mental health awareness, stress management and resilience.

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