Farmers are being invited to enjoy a friendly chat over a free bacon sandwich and hot drinks.
The next instalment of BaConversation will be held at Northallerton Rugby Club in North Yorkshire between 10am and midday on Saturday, November 30. The event is being organised and sponsored by H&H Insurance Brokers (HHIB) in conjunction with H&H Land and Estates and farming charity RABI, and is aimed at bringing farmers together for an informal gathering to make them feel part of the local agricultural community.
HHIB has an office on Northallerton’s Thornfield Business Park and the hosting of BaConversation is a continuation of its campaign to reduce the stigma around mental health issues experienced by farmers. Account executives across the company recently received mental health training to assist farmers who may be struggling but feel they have nobody to talk to.
Corinne Cooper, who leads HHIB’s operations in North Yorkshire and into the North East, said: “As a company, we are really passionate about encouraging farmers to come to come together and we feel hosting BaConversation is a great way to unite members of the farming community and let them know there is always someone around to offer help or provide company.
“Farming can be an isolated industry and farmers can feel the burden of running the family business on their shoulders, but they may feel they don’t want to share that burden with loved ones so providing a wider network can help encourage people to share their farming stories.
“We welcome anyone from farming families, wives, children, grandparents to join us, and it’s great to get off the farm at times.
“What better way to make new, likeminded connections than over a free bacon sandwich, pastries and all you can drink tea or coffee?”
Sally Conner, the Senior Regional Manager for the North East at RABI, said: “The BaConversation sessions have been really appreciated by farmers who need somebody out of the family circle to talk to and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and new relationships have been created.
“We would encourage as many farmers to come along and meet people in their local area to chat together and share farming experiences, from the young and not so young.
“The RABI is very grateful to its supporters and appreciate H&H Insurance Brokers and H&H Lands and Estates for organising and hosting BaConversation to help spread the word that help is on hand to farmers when they need it.”
BaConversation is a free event but booking is advised for catering purposes. To book your place, email Nina Oxley