Charities call for urgent support to tackle rural health issues
Jessica and I were thrilled to see this report we had worked on has generated some wider attention. This report tells us:
The modern-day challenges facing Britain’s farming families need urgent recognition backed up by a robust system of support, a rural health and well-being report has concluded.
The report by the University of Lincoln and rural economic consultants Rose Regeneration highlighted concerns including mental health, long working hours and rural isolation.
It also found farming families were increasingly worried by changing weather patterns, uncertain global markets and volatile commodity prices.
Wide-ranging changes in government policies for agriculture due to Brexit will add to these pressures – requiring many farm businesses to rethink the way they operate, added the Worshipful Company of Farmers-commissioned report.
Recommendations
- Establish a national programme to promote well-being among farming families and rural communities
- Provide support group workers with more help to cope with extra demands
- Collate evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of support groups
- Improve networking between support groups and other service providers
- Promote the work of support networks more effectively with government, statutory funders and charities