Farming charities provide free health checks and support at Melton Mowbray market
The Farming Community Network (FCN) and Lincolnshire Rural Support Network (LRSN) are working together to provide visitors with free health check-ups by registered nurses at Melton Mowbray Market.The Farming Community Network (FCN) and Lincolnshire Rural Support Network (LRSN) are working together to provide visitors with free health check-ups by registered nurses at Melton Mowbray Market. No need to book, it will be a drop in service in the morning at the FCN office next to the NFU market office.
The charities will have a joined-up presence at the market as part of a new 6-month pilot, utilising the unique services of both charities to support farmers and farming families. The NFU Mutual has also contributed to the cost of this provision.
FCN has had a presence at the market since 2016 and is a familiar presence within the farming community
The pilot follows a similar initiative run by LRSN at Louth Cattle Market and Spalding Auction.
The move is part of a wider partnership agreement between the two charities, who have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to allow for closer working, shared training and where agreed teaming up on projects and initiatives.
The pilot launches on 12 April. Registered nurses will be in attendance at Melton Market on the following dates:
- 12/04/22
- 27/04/22
- 10/05/22
- 25/05/22
- 07/06/22
- 21/06/22
- 06/07/22
- 20/07/22
- 09/08/22
- 24/08/22
- 06/09/22
- 21/09/22
In addition to providing health screenings both charities will be on-hand to support members of the farming community through any issues or concerns they may have.
FCN provides practical and pastoral support to the farming community and has over 400 volunteers throughout England and Wales, including a local County Group in Leicestershire and Rutland. FCN runs a confidential national helpline (03000 111 999) open 7am-11pm every day of the year, as well as an e-Helpline (help@fcn.org.uk).
LRSN provides practical and emotional support to farming and rural people in Lincolnshire during periods of anxiety and stress. LRSN runs a confidential helpline (0800 138 1710) open 8am-8pm open every day of the year, alongside an established health screening service run at local markets and via a new mobile health screening unit the LRSN Health Hut. LRSN’s nursing team also offers an online health and wellbeing clinic Click Book Chat, where an appointment can be booked via the LRSN website https://www.lrsn.co.uk/health-hub/digital-wellbeing-clinic/
Dr Jude McCann, Chief Executive Officer of The Farming Community Network, said: “We are looking forward to collaborating with LRSN on this project to support the farming community in Leicestershire and surrounding counties. FCN and LRSN have a long history of working closely and supporting on cases. We hope our united presence at Melton Mowbray Market and the free health check-ups provided by registered nurses will encourage us all to take time out to get ourselves checked, look out for our heath and the health of those around us.”
Amy Thomas, Head of Charity with LRSN, said: “We are excited to be working in partnership with FCN to extend our established and well-respected health screening offer to Melton Mowbray Market. We recognise that the routes through which farmers might seek help are varied and very often indirect, and at LRSN we have found that through our Nurses having a regular presence at local markets we are able to reach out and offer essential health screening and advice – I would encourage anyone who attends Melton Mowbray Market to pop in ,say hello to Nurse Heather and to get checked out.”
Sarah Procter, Senior Agent with NFU Mutual, said: "We at the National Farmers' Union in Melton Mowbray are thrilled to know that the money we donated to FCN will be used towards a very welcomed and important service. Having access to a nurse at the market where farmers can call in for blood checks and a chat is a fantastic service which will be extremely valuable."
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