In July 2024, Samaritans Cymru and farming support charity Tir Dewi launched a project seeking to address the suicide risk within the farming community.
‘Our Farming, Our Future’ project aims to build community resilience by better equipping young farmers to make a difference to their own lives, as well as identifying how to look after themselves and those around them to ensure more people get the support they need and to ultimately reduce their risk of suicide.
As well as providing training for over 100 young farmers and agriculture students in Wales, Samaritans are working closely with young farmers to ensure that relevant messages and resources are created and shared among the community.
Wales Young Farmers Clubs are getting involved too and supporting Samaritans who are hosting a variety of activities including a ‘Listening’ workshop, art sessions and webinar, to raise awareness and help young people to feel able to talk more openly about their experiences, look out for each other, become better listeners and seek support.
Young farmers William Meadmore and Elin Lewis are fully supporting the project and feel passionately about empowering young people to take action to help reduce suicides in the farming community.
“We’ve got to learn to become better listeners and look after each other as well as we look out for our animals and crops”
Will Meadmore, Young Farmer
Elin and William have shared their messages in two short films, which are being watched by YFC members and students and shared widely on social media.
Through the two video stories we aim to:
- Reduce stigma by sharing real stories.
- Empower young farmers to share their stories and experiences and talk about difficult topics.
- Encourage help seeking behaviour and peer support, promoting active listening and increase awareness of the risks and the support available.
- Raise awareness of the project and training for young farmers.
This project is being supported by NFU Mutual Trust and the Moondance Foundation.
Call our freephone helpline: 0800 121 47 22
There are three ways you can reach out to us:
Call our helpline between 7:00-22:00
Send us an email
Complete our self-referral form online.