by Angharad Evans, Welsh Language Communications Officer
It’s hard to believe that we're already in March, and that means that the lambing season has started, and I'm sure that a large number of you, like us here, are in full swing of the busiest periods of the year at the moment. It's quite a challenging time isn't it? Sleep deprivation, long hours of hard work, sometimes battling between life and death in the lambing shed, and challenging weather at times - March slays, April flays! All these things are factors that can lead to a perfect storm to upset a person's mental health.
Although the agricultural industry remains a difficult, challenging and lonely industry to work in, we are slowly breaking the stigma that surrounds mental health. We are extremely fortunate to have the support of a large number of organisations that are available to support and help farmers and the agricultural community in general through difficult times.
Someone very familiar to us here in the Union and who has been helping farmers for many years is Linda Jones. 2023 has started with a new challenge for Linda who started a new job as National Manager (Wales), with The Farming Community Network (FCN).
Cornel Clecs took the opportunity to catch up with Linda recently to see how the new job is going so far. Here is Linda to explain more: "Some of you may have heard by now that I started a new job in January with the charity The Farming Community Network (FCN) as National Manager for Wales," explains Linda. "This position, which is new to FCN, appealed to me because I have the opportunity to specifically manage the support the charity offers to farmers and their families in Wales.
“FCN exists to support everyone involved in agriculture - those who farm, those who work on farms, and those who provide farm services and supplies.
"We aim to help people find a positive way through their problems. Every year in Wales, we help many families with a variety of issues, including financial difficulties, animal diseases, mental health and family disputes.
“FCN has four groups of volunteers based across Wales. Many of them are involved in farming, or have close links to agriculture, and therefore have a great understanding of issues that face farm workers and farming families on a regular basis. Our volunteers provide free confidential, pastoral and practical support to anyone who asks for help. Regardless of whether the matter is personal, or business related.
"Recently, FCN is becoming increasingly involved in proactive work to support the farming community in the hope that people can be helped before they reach crisis point. This includes research, campaigns, developing useful publications, social opportunities, attendance at livestock markets, shows, and other events.
"It’s hoped that our proactive approach can build resilience and remove health inequalities before problems arise, and create a more resilient, intelligent and supportive industry.
"With farming in Wales facing a number of challenges in the coming years, the workload of FCN volunteers is expected to increase significantly. Of course, personally as a farmer, I’m keen to know more about the payments that will be available to farmers under the new scheme, The Sustainable Farming Scheme. I realise that this new framework is causing concern for many at the moment.
"As well as local groups of volunteers, FCN runs a confidential national helpline (03000 111 999, open from 7am - 11pm every day of the year) and an e-helpline (
I’m sure that FUW staff and members would like to wish Linda well with her new role with the FCN. She certainly has enough experience to ensure that the mental health of Welsh farmers remains at the top of every agenda in the future.