Supporting Our Farming Community

In response to local concern about the high suicide rates and general poor mental health in our farming community, in 2022 we set up Supporting Our Farming Community in partnership with Hexham Mart.

Our small, experienced team of Volunteers are trained members of the farming community, Clergy, Mental Health charities Andy’s Man Club and Papyrus UK; HealthWatch and NCC Locality Coordinator who are a monthly presence, joined by invited Health Organisations/Specialists such as NHS Diabetic Eye Screening / NICRE Tech Support etc as and when needed, or requested by anyone feeling in a low mood, concerned about alcohol use or feeling suicidal.

To support their Health – mental and physical – and help positive change happen, we

  • encourage the farming community to talk about their mental health.
  • provide Its Ok To Talk helpline cards.
  • tell people about help and support they can access, making appointments – with accompaniment – when needed/requested.
  • listen to our farming community’s concerns and respond with action.
  • deliver free Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Training not just for our Farmers but also for those who live, work or interact with them, in the hope that by raising awareness and upskilling the network around the farming community we will create a strong support network for them that will make a real difference and save lives.

By upskilling everyone coming into direct contact with Farmers it means they can spot the signs of poor mental health, talk with them in a caring, informed way and signpost them to professional support where necessary. This includes – but isn’t limited to – Family Members, Young Farmers, Mart Staff, Vets, Agricultural Merchants, Hauliers, Land Agents, Inspectors, National Park Farming Officers, Church Leaders and/or their teams making farm home-visits/taking funerals, Pastoral Groups and their Teams in our rural area.

Supporting Our Farming Community takes place at Hexham Mart, with 1-1 professional support arranged separately, and consists of:

  • Andy’s Man Club: Mondays 7pm – 9pm weekly at Hexham Mart, for Men only aged 18+, in the Function Room; contact Jed jed.irving@andysmanclub.co.uk or see their Website.
    • In May ’26 due to demand, a second branch of Andy’s Man Club opened in the Community Room at Haltwhistle Hospital – contact Daniel or see Website, 7pm – 9pm weekly.
  • Specialist Mental Health and Alcohol support for individuals in our farming community.
  • Certificated training:
    • Emergency First Aid on the Farm.
    • Papyrus SPEAK Suicide Prevention.
    • Mental Health Awareness.
    • Suicide Prevention Awareness.
    • Dementia Friends.
  • Diabetic Eye screening. This rotates with NHS Health Checks.
  • Brew, Blether, Domino’s and Cornhole launching 19th June in Hexham Mart Café and Function Room/Outdoors depending on the weather – come for a bit of craic!

If you would like to have a chat about getting involved then please contact Caroline: caroline.clarke@ccptynedale.org.uk or to make a Donation to help us keep it all going, please use the Donation button on our website or pop in to see us. Thank you.

If you need help now please contact:

Papyrus HopeLine:

Samaritans: 116 123 (free) Email Jo@samaritans.org

SANEline: 0300 304 7000

Andy’s Man Club: info@andysmanclub.co.uk