The Farming Community Network (FCN) and Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust (NFST) have teamed up to launch the FCN / Len’s Light Nuffield Farming Scholarship to support the health and well-being of farming people.
The scholarship focuses on topics that support people in farming and rural communities; help to address issues of loneliness and isolation; explore health inequalities in farming / rural communities; or encourage a positive mindset and help to build resilience. It is hoped that the findings will help create further support across the sector and reduce the stigma around mental health.
It was inspired by Warwickshire farmers Andy and Lynda Eadon, who lost their son Len to suicide in January 2022.
Since then, their national Len’s Light campaign has been raising funds for The Farming Community Network (FCN), Yellow Wellies and PAPYRUS – Prevention of Young Suicide.
Dr Jude McCann, Chief Executive Officer of The Farming Community Network (FCN), said: “We are delighted to have teamed up with Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust to provide this important opportunity to focus on health, wellbeing and resilience. We hope to highlight good practice in farming and shine a light on what helps people to stay positive and optimistic in their work and personal lives. We are grateful to Andy and Lynda Eadon for their ongoing support for the work of FCN and other vital charities.”
Rupert Alers-Hankey, Director, Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust, said: “Mental health and well-being is consistently cited as one of the biggest challenges facing our industry. FCN is well known for the support it offers the farming community in difficult times, and we are proud of the role that Jude McCann NSch and his own scholarship have played in its success. We hope the FCN / Len’s Light Nuffield Farming Scholarship will help build further knowledge and pave the way for positive change in this area.”
Andy and Lynda Eadon added: “Since the tragic loss of our son Len in 2022 we have become passionate to engage, particularly with young people in the rural community. Highlighting the importance of understanding their own mental health and the need to be honest, open and talk.
“We continually talk about ‘positive’ mental health to try to reduce the stigma that the words ‘mental health’ have. No one in the rural community should feel alone and isolated, and this new scholarship has the ability to shine a light brighter and wider on the complex issues that impact on everyone’s mental health.
“We would like to thank FCN and the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust for highlighting these issues and for acknowledging Len’s Light, and thus contributing to the legacy we are trying to leave in his name.”
Applications close on the 31st of July. For more information go to www.nuffieldscholar.org
