Encouraging farmers to prioritise their mental and physical health is focus for the new Health and Wellbeing Zone at LAMMA 2023.
The new feature aims to encourage interactivity and discussion while also highlighting the work of the Farming Help charities – Addington Fund, The Farming Community Network (FCN) and Forage Aid.
The group also launched an online survey to gathering farmers’ opinions on accessing help and support, which closed on 3rd January 2023. Survey participants were entered into a prize draw to win a 50 Amazon voucher.
Representatives from the three organisations are hosting panel discussions on both days of the show as well as being on hand to offer information, signposting and support. On day one NHS AgriHealth Matters will also be attending to offer glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol checks as well as ‘flu vaccinations.
Alex Phillimore,Head of Communications and Development at FCN, said: “Research by FCN and the University of Exeter has shown that a lack of public understanding of farming and appreciation for farmers’ work can increase feelings of loneliness, isolation and mental ill-health in agriculture.
