The Farming Community Network charity launched its ‘Wool and Wellness’ winter mental health campaign, in collaboration with British Wool, at the Great Yorkshire Show, July 12 to 15.
The campaign is encouraging members of the public and faming community to challenge themselves to knit a woollen hat, with the FCN helpline label sewn within, before giving it to another person. FCN and British Wool then want people to share photos of their creations with the hashtag #WoolAndWellness.
West Yorkshire Spinners has provided the first batch of wool for the campaign’s launch, and those taking part are being asked to use British wool yarn whenever possible.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of good mental health in farming; encouraging people to keep the FCN Helpline number close to their heads, in case they need to talk to someone during the challenging winter months.
Georgina Lamb, senior partnerships manager with the FCN, said: “The Wool and Wellness campaign gets people to think about their physical wellbeing, by wearing a hat to keep warm through chilly weather, as well as look after their mental wellbeing, by keeping FCN’s contact details close by.”
“The campaign also encourages everyone to take up a new hobby – for those who may never have tried knitting before, it’s a great way to destress! Importantly, the campaign also helps in supporting the farming community and recognises their hard work, and utilises an often overlooked element of our sheep industry – wool!”
Throughout the summer months FCN and British Wool will be supplying wool, FCN Helpline labels and knitting patterns at a range of events and agricultural shows to anyone who would like to take part in the campaign.
A number of events and hat giveaways during National Wool Week (September 25 to October 2) will also help to promote the campaign.