***If you are based in Scotland, please call the RSABI helpline: 0300 111 4166***
Struggling and not sure where to turn? Times can get hard for everyone, but help is at hand.
Through just one phone call, farmers in need can access free, impartial and confidential support from all four charities.
Call 03000 111 999
Helpline open 7am-11pm every day of the year
Helpline operated by FCN
The Farming Help partnership is a collaboration between The Addington Fund, The Farming Community Network, R.A.B.I, RSABI and Forage Aid and is supported by The Prince’s Countryside Fund.
Press Release:
On 18 May 2020 NFU Mutual Charitable Trust made donations totalling £739,000 across several national organisations that reach out to the isolated and vulnerable across the UK. The Farming Help charities received some of this funding. More information is available here.
The Farming Help Charities are working together to support the Farming Community during the current Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.
We recognise that this could be an anxious time for many farmers and farming families and periods of poor health or self-isolation may result in temporary practical difficulties on farm.
Utilising our Farming Help helpline (operated by FCN) and respective organisations/volunteer networks, we can offer the following local support. Get in touch on 03000 111 999 if you:
Feel concerned or anxious and would like to talk to someone who understands farming, will listen to you and help you think through your options
Would like help to draft a contingency plan to ensure you and your farm are prepared, should you be unable to work for a time.
If you or people you rely on become ill or are self-isolating and you need to find help locally- we will endeavour to find support for you in your local area. We will source contact details of local organisations and groups who may be able to assist you in finding help to feed livestock, collect shopping or collect prescriptions if you are unable to do so. This directory will be revised and updated in the coming weeks and months.
This initiative is in conjunction with The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, The National Farmers’ Union, and the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust.
The Addington Fund is a truly unique charity that helps farmers in severe financial difficulty.
We invest in property and let at a cheaper rate, providing homes for retiring farmers or farmers who have to leave their tenancy.
We also provide feed and forage to those who have insufficient supplies due to natural disaster, bad weather or even just a case of bad luck.
The Farming Community Network (FCN) is a voluntary organisation that supports farmers and families within the farming community through difficult times.
FCN runs a confidential national helpline and e-helpline, which is open every day of the year from 7am-11pm, and has approximately 400 volunteers located throughout England and Wales.
These volunteers provide free, confidential, pastoral and practical support to anyone who seeks help, regardless of whether the issue is personal, family or business-related.
Forage Aid’s sole objective is the relief of the suffering of animals by the emergency provision of feed and/or bedding and/or the transportation or, contribution of feed or bedding.
Relief will be available to members of the farming community in Great Britain in possession of a DEFRA holding number or equivalent who have been affected by an extreme weather event.
The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution helps farming people of all ages who are on low incomes and have few savings.
Support includes one-off and regular grants, the provision of essential household and specialist equipment.
For working farmers, R.A.B.I may fund relief farm staff and training to increase off-farm income. For farmers/farmworkers and their dependants who are retired, or those no longer working due to long-term health conditions, we can pay towards care home, home-help and other costs.
RSABI supports people from Scottish agriculture emotionally, practically and financially in times of need.
Emotional support is available through our helpline, case officers and volunteers, all of whom are mental health first aid trained. We listen, keep people safe and access professional support when required. Our helpline is open from 7am to 11pm 365 days of the year and offers a call out service for the lonely and vulnerable.
RSABI can access practical support such as, but not limited to, welfare benefits, business reviews, debt signposting, counselling and mediation services.
Additional local contacts and groups can be found on the Get Support page on FarmWell, here.
Or via the National Directory of Rural Support Groups, here.
For further information or queries on Farming Help, please contact help@fcn.org.uk
"A big thank you to the Addington Fund and R.A.B.I for helping us with our housing and financial problems. One call made all the difference and gave us hope."
— A farming family from Yorkshire