Health challenges facing farmers have been brought to light thanks to the efforts of a woman who stepped forward to become the voice for her community.
Teesdale farmer Becky Land signed up to become a County Durham Together community champion with Durham County Council.
Community champions share public health information about staying healthy, safe and well and keep public health bodies informed about the issues affecting local areas by sharing their own insights, knowledge and experiences.
Ms Land said it was important the voices of people living in rural and farming communities were heard.
As part of her role, she carried out a survey in Teesdale, speaking to farmers about what issues they felt affected their physical and mental health, with feedback including worries about the future of farming.
Her insights were shared with County Durham’s Mental Health Strategic Partnership and Poverty Action Steering Group, which then led to County Durham Economic Partnership holding a focus session on rural economy.
Her feedback was also added to Healthwatch County Durham’s farming outreach initiative work, which resulted in a walk-in clinic being organised at Pinfold Medical Practice, Butterknowle, offering health checks specifically for farmers.
Following the success of the first clinic, a second clinic is being organised which will include mental health checks for farmers.
Ms Land’s involvement in this work also led to her receiving training in Understanding Mental Health and working with Utass (Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services).
She said: “With farming at the heart of life here, the industry faces the biggest challenges of a generation and has one of the poorest mental health records of any workplace. I am proud of my farming roots and the people I stand side by side with, so to have the opportunity to do this was amazing.”
There are currently five volunteer community champions in Teesdale and one in Weardale. The county council is keen to recruit more across all areas.
Cllr Ted Henderson, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “Becoming a community champion is an important way of sharing public health information with your friends, family, people you know, or your community.
“By working together and sharing our different experiences, we can help people to thrive.
“We are always looking for more people to become community champions, and I would encourage anyone with an interest in health and wellbeing and supporting their community to join.”
The County Durham Together Partnership works with communities, especially those most in need, making sure they are at the heart of decision making, building on their existing skills, knowledge, experience and resources to support everyone to thrive and to live happy, healthy and connected lives.
Anyone interested in signing up to become a community champion can go to www.durham.gov.uk/CDTCommunityChampions
