Working together to support Wiltshire’s farming communities

Farmers and members of rural communities in Wiltshire have been able to access health and wellbeing support over the summer months thanks to a successful partnership pilot scheme.

Well Farmers for Wiltshire has been taking place every Tuesday since July at Salisbury Livestock Market, and offers preventative health support to a community group who find it difficult to access traditional health and care services.

A team from Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board has been working with Wiltshire Council, local GP practices, Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, the Rural Chaplaincy service, Community First and other VCSE organisations, such as Citizens Advice, to offer a range of support services and advice.

The teams have worked together to provide blood pressure checking, mental health advice, physiotherapy, dental health, vaccines advice, pharmacist support and more.

The weekly sessions have provided a way for different health and care teams to reach out and offer support to rural communities who are often affected by poor mental health, long-term health issues, isolation and financial problems, as well as finding it difficult to take time away from work to get the help they need.

Emma Higgins, Head of Combined Place, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “We know that people working in and around farms are super resilient, but it’s a struggle for them to juggle everything and look after their health and wellbeing.

“We also know members of that community are significantly susceptible to mental health issues, sepsis, skin cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure.

“By working together with different health and care providers, we can offer help, support and advice for a range of health and wellbeing issues in a busy livestock market, which acts as an important hub and meeting place at the very heart of their community.”