The Farming Community Network (FCN)
The Farming Community Network (FCN) is a voluntary organisation and charity that supports farmers and families within the farming community through difficult times. Farming is not just a job - it’s a way of life. It is a wonderful industry to work in, but it can also be inherently risky and volatile. Farmers are regularly forced to deal with issues on the farm that are beyond their control, such as animal disease, fluctuating market prices and the weather. Farming can also be a very isolating and lonely occupation, with farmers often spending long hours out in the field with little or no form of social interaction. On top of their responsibilities on the farm, farm workers also deal with issues in their personal life, such as relationship breakdowns, physical health problems and bereavement. All of this means that farmers and farming families across the UK are highly susceptible to poor mental wellbeing, including stress, anxiety and depression.
Company details
Find locations served, office locations
- Business Type:
- Professional association
- Industry Type:
- Agriculture
- Market Focus:
- Nationally (across the country)
About Us
Why does FCN exist?
Furthermore, with Britain having left the European Union and significant changes in domestic agricultural policy, many farmers face great uncertainty about the future of their farm business.
Simply talking about your problems is often the first step towards improved mental wellbeing. But because of the stigma surrounding mental health, many within the farming community have difficulty coming forward and admitting that they need help. Farmers generally also don’t discuss their issues with a friend or relative as they don’t wish to become a burden. More often than not, they prefer to discuss their issues in confidence with someone who they have no emotional attachment to and who will treat their situation without judgment – this is where FCN can help.
What does FCN do?
We have a network of over 400 volunteers across England and Wales, many of whom are involved in farming, or have close links with agriculture, and therefore have a great understanding of the issues that farmers, farm workers and farming families regularly face. Our volunteers provide free, confidential, pastoral and practical support to anyone who seeks help, regardless of whether the issue is personal or business-related.
In addition to local groups of volunteers, FCN runs a confidential national helpline (03000 111 999) and e-helpline (help@fcn.org.uk) which is open every day of the year from 7am-11pm.
Our volunteers will “walk with” anyone who seeks support and help them find a positive way through their problems.
We have helped thousands of people deal with a variety of issues, including financial difficulties, animal disease, mental health and family disputes.
How do FCN volunteers support the farming community?
FCN volunteers provide support in a number of ways. These can include support with paperwork, building relationships with bank managers, acting as family mediators and even supporting farmers through legal issues.
More often than not, farm workers just need someone who will listen to them. FCN volunteers are on hand to provide a sympathetic ear, which is why our confidential helpline is such an important asset to those who seek our help.
Approximately 40 volunteers help with the running of the FCN helpline. Cases that come through the FCN helpline are usually referred to a local FCN volunteer, who will try and organise a face-to-face meeting with the person seeking help. It is entirely up to them how much support they need or want from FCN.
We work with a variety of stakeholders critical to the successful outcome of cases. These include government bodies, agricultural organisations, other charities and healthcare services. Our volunteers provide support, facilitation and direct links to sympathetic professionals.
Through our FarmWell platform we provide the farming community with useful information around business resilience and personal wellbeing, helping farmers take a proactive approach in planning for the future, managing change and staying physically and mentally well.
Our History
The 1980s and 1990s saw a steep decline in the fortunes of farmers, brought on by low commodity prices. This also resulted in a sharp rise in the number of suicides amongst farmers.
As a result of this, FCN was founded in 1995 by Christopher Jones MBE, who is now our Honorary President. It was set up as a joint venture between the Agricultural Christian Fellowship (ACF) and Germinate: The Arthur Rank Centre. It was founded under the name The Farm Crisis Network.
In 2001, farms in England and Wales were hit with 2,000 cases of foot-and-mouth disease. Over 10 million animals were slaughtered and thousands of businesses and jobs lost as a result. This led to a soaring number of suicides within the farming industry.
FCN became a key player in supporting farmers during the outbreak, with some volunteers working 18 hour days. More people became aware of the work of FCN, leading to an increase in recruitment within the charity. FCN was attracting more funding, allowing the national helpline to be developed. You can read a feature, called ‘Hope from the Ashes of Tragedy’, about the role FCN played during foot-and-mouth here.
From 2002-2008 the charity began to grow. The head office was centralised on Christopher Jones’ farm in West Haddon, appointing deputy director Helen Bagwell. The charity’s volunteers and referrals were increasing, driving the charity to become more efficient and process driven.
2008-2011 saw volunteers exceeding 300 alongside the newly appointed Executive Director Sarah Brown.
In 2011 Charles Smith was appointed FCN Chief Executive Officer. Relationships began to grow with several governmental and agricultural bodies becoming involved.
In 2013, The Farm Crisis Network changed its name to The Farming Community Network. There became a greater focus on fundraising and communications, developing FCN to a well-respected charity within farming and the voluntary sector.
Today
In January 2020, following Charles Smith’s retirement, Jude McCann was appointed Chief Executive Officer. FCN has evolved from merely responding to farmers in crisis to providing a much more proactive support service that actively encourages farmers to seek help before their situation gets worse.
FCN’s aim now is to be much more focussed in helping build personal and business resilience in those that turn to us for help. To this end, in September 2019, we launched a brand new initiative called FarmWell.
FarmWell is a one-stop online resources hub to help you and your farm business stay strong and resilient. FarmWell is full of vital information from a wide variety of sources. It is free to use and it has three aims:
- To keep your farm business resilient through change
- To help you, your family and your staff to stay resilient through change and mentally well
- To provide support and help to anyone who needs it
Our Mission & Ethos
Our Mission
To provide practical and pastoral support to the farming community.
Our Ethos
FCN is a voluntary organisation and charity founded on Christian principles. We walk with farmers and members of the farming community in times of difficulty. We are here to support and work with everyone who seeks the help of FCN.
Farming Help
FCN is part of Farming Help – a collaboration between three unique charities offering assistance to farmers and farming families in times of need.
Between us, we provide various forms of support, depending on the nature of the problem, including:
- Wellbeing support
- Family relationship issues
- Animal welfare worries
- Feed and bedding support
- Disaster relief
- Financial concerns
- Retirement
- Housing
- Support for new entrants
- Support for farm workers
Everyone’s situation is unique and sometimes one charity is able to help on its own, whilst at other times they work together to provide a range of solutions. That’s why Farming Help exists – a ‘one stop shop’ to make it easy to access help.
Each charity runs its own helpline, but any calls outside of office opening times are diverted to FCN’s helpline.