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The Farming Community Network (FCN) is a voluntary organisation and charity that supports farmers, farming families, and those who work in the agricultural industry, through difficult times.
We seek to engage with farming people, build resilience and remove health inequalities, before problems arise.
FCN has a large network of volunteers with extensive life experience and farming knowledge across England and Wales. Most live and work within farming communities and have close links with agriculture, enabling them to understand the issues farmers and farming families regularly face.
Our volunteers provide free and confidential support to anyone who seeks help, regardless of whether the issue is personal or business-related.
In addition to local groups of volunteers who support the communities in which they are based, FCN runs a confidential national helpline (03000 111 999, open 7am-11pm every day of the year) and e-helpline (help@fcn.org.uk).
Our volunteers will “walk with” anyone who seeks support and help them find a positive way through their problems. Each year we help approximately 6,000 people deal with a variety of issues, including financial difficulties, animal disease, mental health and family disputes.
FCN also operates the FarmWell platform (farmwell.org.uk). FarmWell is a one-stop shop for information to support your farm business and develop personal resilience. It provides links to up-to-date and reliable industry-centred information to ensure the farm is managed effectively and is able to cope in uncertain times, as well as signposting users towards information that can improve physical and mental health and wellbeing.
FCN relies solely on donations and grants in order to continue supporting the farming community. With British farming facing deep uncertainty in the coming years, the workload of FCN volunteers is expected to increase significantly.
However, we remain positive about farming’s future and wish to encourage and support new entrants, and champion an inclusive and diverse farming industry.