Mission
The Farming Life Centre will be a valued and respected source of health and business related support and information to the farming and rural communities of the Peak District.
Charitable Objects
The relief of sickness, promotion of health and relief of financial hardship among the farming community in the area defined by the current boundaries of the Peak District National Park
Public Benefit
- The provision of services and projects which contribute to improved physical and mental wellbeing in rural communities
- The provision of information and support to members of the rural community in times of challenge, hardship or crisis.
- The provision of information and support relevant to farming families.
- The provision of a community facility which celebrates the rural way of life and promotes upland farming past, present and future.
Aims for 2022-2025
- To aid the development of successful upland farm businesses in the Peak District by developing projects which will provide support, networking and training opportunities related to business development, with a particular emphasis on supporting new entrants and also those nearing the end of their farming careers.
- To promote improved physical and mental wellbeing in rural communities through the development and management of a range of initiatives which will reduce rural health inequalities.
- To secure a sustainable future for the organisation through a diversified range of income streams.
Beneficiaries
The Centre targets the “hard to reach” rurally isolated. The average age of a farmer is widely quoted as 58 years. Many continue to work into their 70’s and 80’s, health permitting. Our main work is with the 40 years + age range, with a particular emphasis on those of 60+. Central to the Centre’s ethos is that at times of challenge in their lives rural residents can access a non-judgemental service where they will find empathy and support – and information and proactive signposting into services wherever possible.
Through participation in our projects and accessing our in-house and outreach services rural residents find a listening ear and are able to:
- feel supported and listened to, thanks to our regular outreach presence at local farming gatherings and our social group meetings at outreach locations;
- be better informed about issues and services around general health and wellbeing, safety and good farming business practice;
- develop their skills, including business skills and creative skills;
- improve their confidence and self esteem through active participation;
- develop, maintain or improve their participation in community life by being part of our social network;
- become connected – and/or maintain their connections, both with people and with the environment;
- maintain their livelihoods by taking steps to address their business and occupational challenges;
- maintain better health – particularly mental health, by being part of a social network and learning skills to aid recovery from mental ill-health and to maintain good mental health.
Funders in 2022/2023
