Wool and Wellness campaign promotes mental health in farming
Young FCN supporter Fred wears one of the campaign hats © FCN Woolly hats in their hundreds have been gifted to farmers across England and Wales as part of a Farming Community Network (FCN) mental health campaign targeting rural communities.
Knitted by volunteers in partnership with British Wool, the hats are a key part of the “Wool and Wellness” campaign, a reminder of the importance of mental health in farming.
They feature a stitched-in label with the FCN helpline number – 03000 111 999 – so that help is never far away for farmers who may need to talk to someone who understands the industry’s unique pressures.
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Linda Jones, national manager at FCN Cymru, said: “The Wool and Wellness campaign has been well received by people in rural communities in Wales and England.
“It allows people to utilise a great natural product – wool – in a supportive way, knitting hats that can keep us all warm during cold weather, whilst also ensuring the FCN contact details are close to hand.
“We want to remind everyone that they are part of a supportive community, and that there is help at hand from our charity should people need to speak with someone in confidence.”
One FCN supporter, Carolyn Dyche, organised a “Knit and Natter” group which has so far knitted more than 60 hats for the campaign.
Carolyn said: “We hope that in receiving our hats, farmers will know that we care about them, think about them, and that they are not alone.”
Each year, FCN provides support to about 6,000 people from farming and rural communities.
Contact: Farming Community Network, 03000 111 999