Deep in the heart of Somerset a group of volunteers is hoping to change – and potentially save – lives through one simple motto: "The answer to our problems is each other”.

And this is just the starting point, with ambitions to share the message of positive mental health and supporting across the south west.

We caught up with Trudy Herniman, from the volunteer organisation Farmerados, to hear a bit more about its work raising awareness about the importance of supporting mental health in the farming industry.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Trudy Herniman, I am a farmer’s daughter living on the edge of Exmoor. I have been involved in agriculture all of my life and currently work as a Field based Insurance Advisor for Cornish Mutual.

During the first 2020 lockdown I became a member of the Somerset Mental Health In Agriculture Group (SMHAG) which launched in July 2019. A group of local people who work or support the agricultural industry in associated roles. It was formed to support, promote and address the growing issue of poor mental health for those working in the industry.

Following mental health first aid training we have formed the pop-up public living rooms, based on the Camerados movement. We have evolved from SMHAG and use Farmerados as our brand.

What is the aim of the organisation?

Our aim is to inspire, resource and connect – we are not a service deliverer. We turn up with tea and cake and believe that "The answer to our problems is each other” and is the fundamental value that Farmerado’s Public Living Room is based upon. This is a new movement of people who think and act differently by simply believing that we should all look out for each other. A Farmerado is halfway between a stranger and a friend on farm, and we need more of them.

What do you do?

We set up a "Farmhouse Kitchen / public pop-up living room,” based initially at a market or show. The space is supportive, somewhere you can come alongside each other, no fixing, no agenda, a place to relax, chat and look out for each other. These are held in a voluntary capacity and are based on mutual aid.

I believe we are also there to support and to challenge existing support functions and organisations.

Why did you decide to begin this?

We know that there is a need, we have been told stats around rural mental health. We also know that farmers and people working in the rural community are very proud and do not like asking for help.

Trudy gives a presentation to MPs

Trudy gives a presentation to MPs

Tell us a bit more about the need out there?

It's very true that when we go through hard times we often forget the two most essential things: friends and purpose. You get both when you look out for someone – a connection and a real sense of purpose, and you get away from your own problems for a bit too.

From the outside farmers are a difficult breed to understand, they will open up and speak to those who show an interest to, and are willing to listen, understand and hear their point of view.

How do you respond to that need?

Many of us have completed mental health first aid training, with New Leaf Design. Becky Wright has been able to use connections in agriculture to make the training relevant.

We then spread the concept and the idea, that anyone can be a Farmerado. We aim to inspire people, resource them and to then connect. We have done this using resources to bring together groups and get them talking and engaging with each other.

What are the challenges around providing support?

We are a group of volunteers, most of us have full time jobs. So our pop up living rooms are sporadic.

We have no funding, everything that we have done so far has been due to own investment, self-funded with support and goodwill of people and organisations involved.

We have no website, and we thank New Leaf Design for hosting on their Resources For Mental Health in Agriculture page, www.newleaf.uk.com/smewellbeing/resources-for-mental-health-in-agriculture/

Being recognised as credible by bigger organisations is a challenge, especially when we have ideas or resources that we know work and can share.

How do you reach the audience?

We put yourselves out there, we meet and link with other organisations, find out what works well for them and share what we do well. Again mutual aid for the good of all. We go and see them in their environment, markets and agricultural shows.

We get the buy-in of the YFC – if you get one, you get five turn up.

What is the local join up?

If we are at a market or event we always speak to FCN, RABI, YFC, NHS and other industry partners, whoever is there.