Second walk-in clinic for farmers after success

Farmer Becky Land spoke to her peers about the challenges they were facing

A second walk-in clinic for farmers has been planned after health challenges they were facing were highlighted.

Farmer Becky Land spoke to others in Teesdale about what issues they felt affected their physical and mental health.

It resulted in a successful walk-in clinic at Pinfold Medical Practice in Butterknowle, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, which offered health checks specifically for famers.

Ms Land said the industry faced "the biggest challenge of a generation" and has one of the "poorest mental health records of any workplace".

She carried out the work as part of her role of community champion with Durham County Council.

A second clinic, which will also include mental health checks for farmers, is being organised after the success of the previous one.

Ms Land, who is also a lived experience lead with Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services, said: "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."

Her work has led to calls for more people to become community champions in the county, especially in rural areas where there are currently only six volunteers - five in Teesdale and one in Weardale.

Independent councillor Chris Hood, the council's cabinet member for adult and health services, said community champions played a "vital role".

"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," he added.