News-Rural health clinics launched after survey highlights issues for farmers

Becky Land and Cllr Ted Henderson

Teesdale farmer Becky Land signed up to become a County Durham Together Community Champion with us.

As a trusted voice in their neighbourhood, community champions play a vital role in keeping people informed by sharing public health information about staying healthy, safe and well.

They also help keep public health bodies informed about the issues affecting local areas by sharing their own insights, knowledge, and experiences as a member of that community.

Facing many challenges

Becky felt that it was important the voices of people living in rural and farming communities were heard.

Becky said: "I signed up for the role to promote services in the rural area I am proud to call home. The area faces many a challenge from season to season, day to day, but the uniqueness of the farming community makes it an extremely hard area to try and open doors into."

As part of her role, Becky 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.

Health checks offered

Becky's 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.

Becky's 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, 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.

Making a difference

Becky's involvement in this work also led to her receiving training in Understanding Mental Health and she is now a Lived Experience Lead with Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services.

Becky added: "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."

Call for community champions

Becky's work has led to a call for more people to become community champions in all areas of the county, especially in rural areas where there are currently only six volunteers - five in Teesdale and one in Weardale.

Cllr Chris Hood, Durham County Council's Cabinet member for adult and health services, said: "Community champions play a vital role in ensuring their community receives important health and wellbeing information, such as advice on mental health, contagious diseases, and living well.

"As a resident of that community, they also play an incredibly important role in helping us understand the health issues that are specific to each area right across the county. Being a community champion is an opportunity to make sure the voices of your community are heard and allows us to take action to help improve health outcomes."

Helping people to thrive

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.