In response to the ongoing challenges faced by communities across the country, NFU Mutual has announced £3.25m of funding for local and national charities during 2024.
The leading UK rural insurer is pledging this support to help tackle the ongoing effects of the pandemic and assist with the impact of the rising cost of living.
NFU Mutual will be donating £1.92m to local front-line charities through its Agency Giving Fund. First launched in 2020 in response to the pandemic, the insurer is keeping this annual fund going into 2024 to further help local charities and communities across the UK.
Once again, NFU Mutual Agency and branch offices, covering more than 280 locations nationwide, will be invited to nominate front-line charities to receive a share of the fund. This will ensure that donations reach all corners of the UK and are directed where they are needed most.
To support national and regional charities, NFU Mutual is pledging £1m to the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust.
The Trust is an independent charity the insurer set up in 1998 to support other charities and organisations working in the interests of agriculture, rural communities and the countryside. Since it was founded, the Trust has distributed donations totalling more than £8.6m and made a positive difference to education, research, social welfare and poverty relief.
Alongside this, NFU Mutual has also committed £30,000 to its Community Champions scheme, to support causes close to the heart of its people, by donating to staff fundraising events and initiatives.
The £3.25m funding is completed with a £300,000 donation to the Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies), an independent registered charity founded and funded by NFU Mutual.
As it celebrates its tenth anniversary, the 2024 support will help the Foundation to carry on delivering their education programme, award-winning campaigns, research and engagement throughout the UK, so they can continue raising awareness of, and addressing the attitudes and behaviours around, risk-taking and poor mental health in the industry.
Nick Turner, Group Chief Executive of NFU Mutual, said:“We’re proud to be maintaining significant levels of charitable giving in 2024. We recognise these are challenging times, and our initiatives will support national and local charities right across the UK who are delivering vital services to those in need.”
Ten years after the first Farm Safety Week campaign, the charity behind it makes a plea for those living and working in the industry to do more to improve the poor safety record …
On its 10th anniversary Farm Safety Week 2022 aims to reduce the number of incidents which continue to give farming the poorest safety record of any occupation in the UK & Ireland
New figures released today show that fatal injuries on GB farms have shown a significant improvement – from 41 recorded in 2020/21 to 25 in 2021/22
According to the Farm Safety Foundation, the charity behind the annual campaign, while there is an encouraging improvement on the ten-year average of 36, it is important to continue driving safety messages to avoid a rebound
3 members of the public lost their lives in 2021/22 – 2 adults and a 9-year old child.
Figures released today from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Fatal Injuries in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing in GB Report 2021/22, show that a decade after the first Farm Safety Week campaign, agriculture continues to have the poorest safety record in the UK and Ireland.
Over the last year, 25 people have lost their lives on farms in Great Britain– an encouraging improvement on last year’s total of 41, but one life lost is one too many according to UK-wide charity the Farm Safety Foundation (or Yellow Wellies as they are own).
Of the 25 people killed in England, Scotland and Wales in the past year, 22 were farm workers and 3 were members of the public including a 9-year old child. For an industry that still has between 1 and 2 children being killed through its activities each year, this simply MUST improve.
The picture is similar in Northern Ireland where farming accounted for 6 of the 18 (33%) reported workplace fatalities in 2021/2022 (HSENI). In the Republic of Ireland, farming which accounts for 4% of the workforce (according to CSO’s Labour Force Survey) has 26% of all workplace fatal incidents.
Farming has changed so much over the past decade so why hasn’t its safety record?
From the 18th – 22nd July, the Farm Safety Foundation will hold their tenth annual Farm Safety Week, a campaign which brings together five countries* over five days with ONE simple goal – to encourage farmers to make our farms safer places to live and to work.
This week, the Farm Safety Foundation will highlight some of the key issues facing the farming community, spotlight the work being done to drive a change in attitudes and behaviours and introduce ten inspirational farm safety heroes who have worked tirelessly over the past decade to reduce the injury risk for farmers and farming families across the UK and Ireland.
Agriculture is different from many industries in that it can present hazards to people not actively involved in the industry, such as children and family members living on the farm and visitors, in addition to farm workers. Hazards can also exist for vets, delivery workers and even the emergency medical services personnel, as they provide assistance and care to victims of farm incidents.
According to Stephanie Berkeley, Farm Safety Foundation manager: “Despite an encouraging improvement in the HSE figures over the past year, these are very sobering statistics.
We must remember that these are not just statistics – behind every fatal notification is a worker, a visitor or a child. We cannot become immune to the impact that each and every death has on farming families and communities across the UK and Ireland. Ten years after our first campaign, we cannot continue to accept that risk-taking is part and parcel of farming – we have to work harder to make it safer.
“Awareness of farm safety is at an all-time high with 66% of farmers in the UK (80% of under 40s) aware of Farm Safety Week according to NFU Mutual’s Voice of the Farmer 2022 survey – but the fact remains that, over the past year, 25 people lost their lives on GB farms so, awareness may be one thing but the time has come for action.
“This is why, a decade on, a focus like Farm Safety Week is still important. When many voices join together to drive a change, this is when it can happen. We should be farming safely every day of the year not just during Farm Safety Week.”
Sue Thompson, Head of Agriculture, Health & Safety Executive, said: “I congratulate the Farm Safety Foundation for the great work they’ve done over the last 10 years to raise the profile of farm incidents and their consequences.
“However, there are farming families left devasted every year when their loved ones are badly injured or killed while doing their jobs. We are starting to see safety improvements in some areas, but the pace of change is slow, and the rates of workplace injury and ill health in agriculture remain the highest of any major sector.
“Awareness of the hazards and risk have never been higher, and Farm Safety Week has played its part in this. But it’s regrettable that we’re not yet seeing the widespread changes in attitude towards safety, and the improvements in behaviour that will reduce the numbers of people hurt or made ill.
“Far too many farmers and farm workers suffer life-changing injury and lifelong chronic illness resulting from poor health and safety management”
“Everyone in agriculture has a role to play in making the changes we all want to see. Together, we can make farming safer.”
Stephanie added: “As a small charity that has delivered training sessions to over 18,000 young farmers in land-based colleges and universities across the UK and through the young farmers clubs network, the Foundation knows – and our research supports this – that the next generation of farmers are cultivating a better attitude to risk-taking and are starting to drive better safety behaviours in the workplace.
“Farming is an industry where people do not retire at 65 so, with the oldest farm worker killed over the past year being 85 years of age, we need to look after our older workers so they can continue to support the farm business and carry out tasks are appropriate for their mobility, agility and health conditions.
“But the truth is, farmers of ALL ages need to start challenging and changing their attitudes so we can make our farms safer places to work and to live.”
For more information on Farm Safety Week visit www.yellowwellies.org or follow @yellowwelliesUK on Instagram/Twitter/Facebook using the hashtag #FarmSafetyWeek
92% of UK farmers under the age of 40 rank poor mental health as the biggest hidden problem facing farmers today, a recent study by the Farm Safety Foundation reveals.
· Mental wellbeing levels in the next generation of farmers have fallen over the past year, the study also finds.
· 36% of farmers in the UK admit to being “possibly” or “probably” depressed according to another industry survey.
· 44 suicides were registered in England and Wales in 2020 for those working in farming according to the Office of National Statistics.
· This week’s campaign from the Farm Safety Foundation will remind those living and working in the industry to Mind Your Head.
2020 and 2021 proved incredibly challenging for the UK’s farming industry. There were extreme weather conditions, poor harvests, supply chain shortages and a global pandemic to contend with but, through it all, farming endured as it always does.
Over the past two years, the UK’s farmers have been recognised as key workers. Their hard work puts food on our plates, produced to some of the highest standards in the world, and their careful stewardship knits together the environmental and social fabric of our iconic landscape.
The UK’s farmers are a remarkable breed; adaptable, resilient and incredibly hardworking but, the commitment of our farmers comes at a price.
In an industry that continues to have the poorest safety record of any occupation in the UK, making sure we are all looking after our physical and mental wellbeing has never been more relevant. So, from 14th – 18th February 2022, leading farm safety charity, the Farm Safety Foundation (also known as Yellow Wellies) will launch their fifth annual Mind Your Head campaign to illustrate actions being taken to break down mental health barriers in farming.
A recent study by the Foundation revealed that mental health issues among farmers and agricultural workers are of growing concern and are having a direct impact on safety on farms. With 92% of farmers under the age of 40 suggesting poor mental health is the biggest hidden problem facing farmers today (an increase from 82% in 2018).
Whether or not the number of suicides has increased as a result of the pandemic is a matter for experts and should not be speculated on.
According to Professor Louis Appleby, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Manchester and Chair of the national advisory group on suicide prevention at the Department of Health and Social Care: “Figures like these are important in understanding the tragedy of suicide.
“They are not dry data, they are real lives lost, real families devastated. No figure, whether high or low, is acceptable. We need to beware of alarming claims and predictions without evidence – misleading and potentially harmful to those in the industry who are already struggling.”
Stephanie Berkeley, Manager of the Farm Safety Foundationsaid: “As an industry, I think it is time we deal with the issue of poor mental health head on. We need to talk about our feelings and let everyone living and working in farming know that it’s completely ok to have feelings, good and bad, but it’s also important to let them out.
“Life isn’t always as it seems, we don’t post on social media about the days that we wished we didn’t get out of bed or the days we didn’t feel like it.
“Most people feel the pressure to keep up with everyone’s ‘perfect’ life. My father always advised me to never judge anyone unless you walked in their shoes, these are words that I live by, as it is important to know what is really going on behind the smile, or even their grumpy demeanour.
“Many living and working in rural communities are suffering and doing so in silence. As an industry, it’s time to ease the pressure, stop expecting people to be perfect and start talking openly about feelings with people you trust.”
Today is Valentine’s Day – a day when many show their affection by sending cards, flowers or chocolates with messages of love. This Valentine’s Day, the Farm Safety Foundation is reminding farmers that self-love is important too.
Stephanie added: “A day like Valentine’s Day which celebrates love and togetherness can often highlight how different, alone or low we feel so it is important to check in with yourself and others and reach out to those who may be feeling down, lonely or struggling.
“Whatever it is that you choose to do, just know that your mental health should never be ignored and you are not alone.”
The recent R.A.B.I Big Farming Survey revealed that 36% of the farming community in the UK are ‘probably’ or ‘possibly’ depressed and sadly, the stigma around mental health often prevents those who need help from seeking it.
So, for the next five days, key farming organisations from five countries will join forces to support the Foundation’s Mind Your Head campaign and try to dispel the myths and tackle the stigma around poor mental health in the industry and highlight the wealth of support available to those living and working in farming.
BBC’s Strictly winner, actor Kelvin Fletcher, who last year bought a 120-acre farm in the Peak District is supporting the 2022 Mind Your Head campaign.
As a new entrant to the industry, Kelvin appreciates the many challenges facing farmers at present and the importance of looking after your mental wellbeing at work.
Kevin says: “I feel really privileged to have been welcomed so warmly by the farming community, who have supported me so much since I started my farm last year. Before joining farming, I had no idea the community was so heavily impacted by bad mental health.
“Campaigns like Mind Your Head are so important if we’re going to chip away at the stigma that surrounds mental illness in the industry. If one person reads about Mind Your Head and decides to reach out or to check in on a loved one, that’s a step in the right direction.
“Please, be that person and start the conversation. You never know how much it could mean to someone struggling silently.”
For more information on the Mind Your Head campaign or to learn more about how the Farm Safety Foundation is tackling the issue of poor mental health in the agricultural industry please visit www.yellowwellies.org or follow them on social media – @yellowwelliesUK on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube using the hashtag #MindYourHead
133 suicides were registered in Scotland, England and Wales in 2019 for those working in farming and agricultural related trades according to the Office of National Statistics.
88% of farmers under the age of 40 rank poor mental health as biggest hidden problem facing farmers today, a recent study reveals.
89% of young farmers believe that talking about mental health in farming will remove any stigma attached to it.
This year the Farm Safety Foundation’s Mind Your Head campaign will focus on prevention and early identification of risk factors associated with those living and working in the UK farming industry.
A total of 31 suicides were registered in 2019 in the agricultural industry in Scotland.
From 15th – 19th February 2021, the Farm Safety Foundation (also known as Yellow Wellies) will launch their fourth annual Mind Your Head campaign to illustrate actions being taken to break down mental health barriers in farming.
A recent study by the Foundation, found that mental health issues among farmers and agricultural workers are of growing concern and having a direct impact of safety on farms. With 88% of farmers under the age of 40 now ranking poor mental health as the biggest hidden problem facing farmers today (increased from 82% in 2018).
In an industry where 20 farm workers lost their lives in fatal farm accidents in 2019/2020, there were a total of 102 suicides registered in England and Wales in those working in farming and agricultural related trades, according to the Office of National Statistics. Scotland saw another 31 suicides in the agricultural sector. These include farmers, managers, and proprietors of ag related services and those working in agricultural related trades and elementary ag occupations.
The farming industry faces many stress factors, which are placing increased pressure on workers and putting them at greater risk of mental ill health. During the last year, the coronavirus pandemic will have only increased the mental health effects on farmers and could continue long after the virus has gone.
In the study, it was also revealed that 89% of young farmers believe that talking about mental health in farming will remove any stigma attached to it (increased from 80% in 2018).
Stephanie Berkeley, Manager of the Farm Safety Foundationsaid: “Humans are social animals. We not only enjoy each other’s company, but we also thrive on it.
“Digital solutions have tremendous value, however we must not underestimate the value of talking through our problems. It sounds non-technical, and therefore old-fashioned, but getting farmers to open up is the very first step to building a holistic approach to mental health in the industry.
“It is so important to encourage a habit within agriculture that explicitly recognises how the job can, and does, impact on the wellbeing of everyone living and working in it and how poor mental health can have a direct and deadly impact on the job. Given the year we have just experienced, making sure we are all looking after our physical and mental wellbeing has never been more relevant.
The Mind Your Head campaign will focus on prevention and early identification of risk factors associated with those living and working in the UK farming industry and also aims to highlight the wealth of support available.
During the week long campaign, the Farm Safety Foundation will be sharing the stories of some incredible people who have lost loved ones to suicide, made difficult career and life choices, and hear stories of hope, resilience, and the light at the end of that dark tunnel.
Stephanie added: “This is a huge concern and one that we need to keep talking about. In the last 12 months, calls to farming charities have increased so we need to be concerned about the numbers of people in our industry feeling high levels of distress and to keep pushing to ensure people know that help is available and encourage them to ask for it.
“This is your industry, your future, and your responsibility to it’s time to speak up, speak out and mind your head.”
For more information on the campaign or to learn more about how the Farm Safety Foundation and partners are tackling the issue of poor mental health in the industry please visit www.yellowwellies.org or follow them on social media – @yellowwelliesUK on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
