Farm Out

The agricultural community form a significant proportion of the population of Derbyshire Dales with the majority of this community living and working on family smallholdings.  The economic decline that was exacerbated by the Foot and Mouth outbreak led to concerns that farming in the Dales area was heading for a crisis.  Health inequalities between the farming population and the general population were seen to be widening, and the physical and mental well-being and health of the agricultural community was being affected.   As a result, the Farm Out Project was established as a multi agency project consisting of health professionals led by the PCT, voluntary agencies and the Local Authority.  The aim was to target health related resources at this disadvantaged community to reduce the inequalities that existed.

The project has expanded considerably since its development and now consists of or contributes towards the following services:

Drop in Health Clinic

Every Monday and occasional Thursdays to coincide with the regular agricultural livestock sales, a drop-in health clinic operates from the Bakewell Agricultural Centre.  The Clinic is staffed by a practice nurse, physiotherapist, podiatrist and mental health worker.   All of the services are avaliable on a drop in basis to those agricultural workers and their families who are visiting the sales.  The uptake on the service has been very succesful because it fits in well with the farmers routine and means they can visit whilst 'at work'  without having to make apponintments to see their own GP/Practise nurse.

Citizens'Advice Bureau Service

The CAB offer drop in appointments to coincide with the regular agricultural livestock sales, to offer financial and legal advice to the farmers.  A number of benefit shortfalls have been identified and housing advice provided,  take up on the service continues to increase and the agricultural community confirm this is a service which they value.

Health Kiosk

Again to coincide with the agricultural sales, a kiosk in the Agricultural Centre is manned by a rural development worker and provides a huge range of health advice leaflets and information.

Family Farm Safety

The aims of this part of the project are to promote farm safety through the provision of a two day free course aimed at the agriculutral community and health professionals who support them.  The course acknowledges the risk which farming presents and looks to assist families to develop safer systems of work to minimise the hazards.
For details of the next scheduled course please contact healthpromotion@derbyshiredales.gov.uk or telephone Karen Carpenter on 01629 761316 

The Farming Life Centre

Blackwell Hall Farm, Blackwell, near Buxton, Derbyshire. SK17 9TQ.
The centre formally opened in June 2005, for details on the centre's activities please email info@thefarminglifecentre.org.uk 



For more information on agricultural health and safety issues please follow the link to the HSE website