Farming has never been easy. But right now British farmers are facing a perfect storm of pressures with a devastating impact on mental health. Recent figures reported in The Scottish Farmer suggest that 95% of farmers under 40 identify poor mental health as a significant issue in the industry.
Enter the Hawkstone Farmers Choir. A group of 32 real farmers and agricultural workers who recently put all the pressure, hardship and loneliness of farming into a rousing singing performance on Britain’s Got Talent. (BGT)
The choir was initially created as a promotional and campaigning project to promote Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone beer and cider brand. With the farmers, aged between 27 and 75, coming from all over the UK, from Pembrokeshire to Northumberland.
But what started as a fun advertising idea (farmers singing jingles) quickly became something far more profound. Because as well as hoping to win BGT, the choir is raising awareness and funds for mental health charities.
One of the choir members, Ben Chick, summed up why the choir matters beyond the competition. “We are not just another choir. We are representing British agriculture. I’ve lost people I know in agriculture to suicide. A lot of us in the choir have our own stories, and the choir has meant different things to everyone. When we come together and represent the industry, especially in the difficult time currently, it’s a real privilege.”
Now Hawkstone has announced the release of a limited-edition vinyl record, with 100% of the profits being donated to the mental health charity ‘Shout’. Hawkstone’s partnership with Shout will help to keep their free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service running. Although the service is available to anyone struggling to cope, farmers can have a conversation with a trained volunteer at any time of day or night by texting the word ‘HAWKSTONE’ to 85258.
The choir members have also pledged that if the unimaginable does happen (and 32 farmers win BGT) they will donate the prize money to mental health charities specifically for rural communities.
In a world that too easily overlooks the roll of farmers and growers as stewards of our countryside and putting food on our tables, the Hawkstone Farmers Choir has already achieved something great. They’ve reminded the wider public that farmers are a community facing huge challenges that deserve – and need – our support.
The last word, as ever, goes to Jeremy Clarkson. “When I had the idea for this choir, I worried it would come to nothing more than me, Kaleb and two cows honking tunelessly through Kumbaya. I never imagined it would actually become a glorious gathering of brilliant people and beautiful voices representing the beating heart of rural Britain.”
We’ll drink to that.
If you or someone you know in farming is struggling, text HAWKSTONE to 85258 to reach a trained Shout volunteer, free and confidential, any time of day or night.
