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Armstrong Watson has shown support for a charity that champions farm safety and mental health support for the farming community.
The business donates £250 to a different charity every month, based on the experiences and recommendations of employees and clients, and awarded January’s donation to Yellow Wellies, the Farm Safety Foundation.
The nomination was made by Accounting Assistant Manager Abigail Graham, who is a member of Walton Young Farmers and delivers the Yellow Wellies Farm Safety and Mental Health training sessions to Young Farmers clubs across Cumbria.
Abigail and her young farmers’ group completed a sponsored 10k walk of Hadrian’s Wall in their wellies in aid of the charity on January 15. They have so far raised £739.
Yellow Wellies
The Foundation works closely with Young Farmers Clubs, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Farm Safety Partnerships and a range of farming organisations to help raise awareness of farm safety among young farmers, challenge and change their attitudes towards farming safely, and reduce the toll of injuries and fatalities which bring heartbreak and misery to numerous families and rural communities every year.
Abigail, whose family farm at Kirklinton, near Carlisle, said: “While I’ve been delivering the training to Young Farmers Clubs, the number of members who have previously faced some of the issues we address has really surprised me. This highlights the importance of increasing the awareness of farm safety and mental health across rural communities.”
Armstrong Watson’s Head of Agriculture Andrew Robinson said: “It’s a shocking statistic that farming accounts for 1% of the working population and a staggering 18% of workplace deaths. The work of this specialist charity is vital in helping improve the wellbeing of young farmers and equally changing attitudes towards risk-taking and safety behaviours across the next generation. We are delighted to be able to support them as our Charity of the Month.”
