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Set up at a time when many farmers were struggling to cope with the effects of the BSE epidemic, it later proved an invaluable source of support for the farming community and was identified as a long-term need - supporting farmers through many different forms of personal or farming crises.
The rolling agricultural Devon countryside with its patchwork of fields edged by hedgerows is an integral part of the county’s landscape - as are the South Devon and Galloway cattle and flocks of sheep roaming on Dartmoor. However maintaining this bucolic scene can often take its toll on farmers as they cope with the everyday difficulties of a profession which is physically demanding and often quite isolating with long unsociable hours, as well as requiring the ability to balance the books and keep up to date with current regulations.
The Farming Community Network was set up in the mid-90s – initially as the Farm Crisis Network - at a time when many farmers were struggling to cope with the effects of the BSE epidemic; it later proved to be an invaluable source of support for the farming community through the last outbreak of foot and mouth disease. It was also recognised that there was a long-term need to support farmers, and not just at times of crises, as farming has the highest rates of suicide, depression and accidents in the workplace – and so the organisation became the Farming Community Network to reflect its purpose of helping everyone involved in the farming community whenever difficulties arise.
FCN is now in its 21st year and works nationwide to help people solve issues with business, farming, family and health. In Devon there are 25 volunteers working with the area co-ordinator, Joanne Jones, and they take on 80 or 90 new cases each year, as well as handling about 150 existing cases. The national helpline passes on referrals to Jo, as do doctors and vets, or sometimes people contact her or a member of the Devon team directly. Jo then matches clients with a member of her team who visits them to understand the issues involved and if necessary refer them to a relevant organisation or expert who can advise them. FCN’s work is centred around befriending and signposting people to find a sustainable solution to their problem rather than a quick temporary fix. Most of the volunteers have a background in farming, but some are ministers in rural areas or people who have worked elsewhere in the food industry.
Volunteers can be faced with a whole raft of issues, some of which can be resolved with a couple of phone calls, while others require ongoing support for several years. Farmers have to deal with many factors that lie beyond their control, such as the weather, regulations and market prices. Last year agri-environment scheme payments to farmers were delayed due to IT failures and FCN had to help farming families apply for hardship grants and even foodbank vouchers, which seemed a bitter twist when it is their activity that supplies the food industry. All of these pressures can sometimes give rise to cases of stress related mental and physical health problems, domestic abuse and violence which lead people to seek help from FCN. FCN can offer support and help in all these situations and the Devon branch has even put together a ‘Fit for Farming’ manual along the lines of a Haynes car manual which has now been adopted nationwide.
Joanne Jones runs a dairy farm near Crediton with her husband, as well as working 2 to 4 days per week for FCN and 1 day per week as a nurse. She has a very thorough understanding of the pressures faced by the farming community and got involved as a volunteer with FCN after her in-laws lost stock in the foot and mouth crisis and were helped by a FCN volunteer. Her role as area co-ordinator involves overseeing and training the volunteer team as well as taking on a few client cases herself; in addition, she invests time in raising the profile of the network by organising stands at local shows, talks for community groups, working with Young Farmers’ clubs and taking part in sponsored events. Another of Devon FCN’s recent initiatives is a research programme in conjunction with Plymouth University which is looking into the effects of dementia in the farming community, with a view to finding ways to help people affected by the condition.
FCN is run entirely through donations, fundraising events, help from local churches and grants from bodies such as The Prince’s Trust. This year FCN was the chosen charity for Devon County Show and managed to raise £6000 at the event through collections and raffles. FCN has a regular presence with the chaplaincy in Exeter market every Friday and also partners with churches of all denominations to host a Plough Service in January and a Lammas Service in August, as well as the annual Christmas Market Celebration with the Bishop of Exeter on Monday 19th Dec at Exeter Market (7:00 for 7:30pm) with the Salvation Army Band, Charity Auction and refreshments.
For more information or to contact FCN, become a Devon volunteer or make a donation please call Joanne Jones on 07897 540278 or email joannejones.farmer@gmail.com, Colin Smallacombe (Assistant Coordinator) 07999 711950 or call the national helpline on 03000 111 999 or email chris@fcn.org.uk
Photo details as follows:
IMG 2449 – Devon County Show pictured left to right:John Wibberley - County Chairman; Colin Reed - volunteer & member of Exeter Market Chaplaincy Team; Stephen Dennis - South West Regional Director; Joanne Jones; David Ursell - volunteer & Exeter Market Chaplain
Oke show picture includes volunteers Jackie Skinner, David Ursell, Colin Smallacombe & Joanne Jones
DSC 5374 – Devon County Show President, Lady Aran with members of FCN – please credit to Emily Fleur Photography