The Alzheimer's Society and the Farming Community Network will be the focus of a farming union's charitable cause.
The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has announced its support for the two charities, pledging to support those with dementia in rural areas and farmers who need support in difficult times.
Farmers have faced low points during the last few years. Bovine TB, price volatility and uncertainty about the industry's future post-Brexit all put a strain on farmers' resolve and will.
FUW President Glyn Roberts said many farmers feel stressed and are under immense pressure.
Indeed, a young farmer with mental health issues took his own lifet on the same day his dog was put down, an inquest heard in October.
According to research by Plymouth University, four areas of concern identified by a study showed the barriers farmers face when suffering from mental health. This includes the farm environment, a reluctance to ask for help, support services and changing rural communities.
The union will be helping raise mental health issues by raising funds for Alzheimer’s Society Cymru and the Farming Community Network for the next two years, with 75% of proceeds going to Alzheimer’s Society Cymru and 25% of all funds raised going to the Farming Community Network.
Dementia in rural areas
Over 17,000 people affected by dementia in Wales live in rural areas , according to a report released which presses the government for more help on the issue.
The issue often goes unnoticed due to the isolation many sufferers live in.
Making the announcement, Mr Roberts said: “Dementia is a growing health problem - 1 in 6 people over the age of 80 have dementia, and there are 850,000 people with dementia in the UK.
“With an anticipated increase in the number of cases of 156 per cent between now and 2051, it equates to two million people, and the burden will fall on rural areas where there are significantly higher proportions of elderly people. So this not something that we can ignore and more research is desperately needed.
"We also want to continue our pledge to support farmers who need support in difficult times and raise awareness of mental health problems in rural communities.”
Stacey Hawdon, Alzheimer’s Society Senior Regional Corporate Partnerships Executive - Wales, said: “We would like to extend a huge thank you to Farmers’ Union Wales for uniting with us against dementia to support people affected by the condition across Wales.
“Of the 45,000 people affected by dementia in Wales, we calculate that at least a third live in a rural area which can bring about an additional set of challenges for families affected by dementia such as support services being less likely to be commissioned in rural areas, poor transport links make it harder to access help and carers are more likely to feel isolated and unsupported.”
Difficult times
The farming union will also support the Farming Community Network (FCN), a a charity that supports farmers and families within the farming community through difficult times.
FCN is a network of over 400 volunteers, with around 40 based in Wales, many of whom are involved in farming, or have close links with agriculture and therefore have a great understanding of the issues farmers and farming families regularly face.
FCN runs a confidential national helpline and e-helpline which is open every day of the year from 7am-11pm. Volunteers provide free and confidential support to anyone who seeks help, whether the issue is personal or business-related.
David Williams, FCN Wales Regional Director, said: “As a charity, we are absolutely delighted to be chosen as one of the FUW’s charitable causes for the next two years.
“FCN relies on donations in order to continue providing practical and pastoral support to farmers and farming families throughout Wales. With Welsh farming facing substantial changes and great uncertainty over the next few years, we are anticipating a significant increase in the workload of our volunteers throughout Wales.
“The money raised from FUW will go a long way in helping FCN continue to provide this vital support to the farming community in Wales.”
