NatWest and Lombard Partner with Farming Community Network to Strengthen Mental‑Health Support for UK Farmers

Breaking: NatWest and Lombard partner with FCN to Expand Mental Health Support for UK Farmers

In a move designed to bolster the welfare of farming communities, NatWest and Lombard, the UKS largest asset-finance lender, unveiled a new collaboration with the Farming Community Network (FCN), a charity dedicated to helping farmers and their families across Britain.

The partnership comes as studies spotlight the elevated risk of mental health challenges within farming, underscoring the need for targeted support. NatWest and Lombard, which together serve tens of thousands of farming customers, will leverage FCN’s resources to identify early signs of stress and connect customers with practical wellbeing assistance.

Under the arrangement, the banks’ agriculture specialists will receive dedicated FCN-led training. The aim is to recognize stress indicators among farmers and their households during routine interactions and to steer those in need toward FCN’s wellbeing programs and services.

Rachael Watson, Head of Agriculture at Lombard noted that farming extends beyond a vocation, shaped by unpredictable weather, market pressures, and the duty of land and livestock. She emphasized that these realities can deeply affect mental health and that the partnership will ensure farmers and their families have ready access to practical support as part of everyday customer service. She added that Lombard’s agricultural specialists are now equipped with FCN wellbeing training to better address farmers’ unique challenges.

georgina Lamb, Head of Partnerships for the FCN welcomed the alliance, saying the collaboration broadens FCN’s ability to offer essential facts, resources, and a listening ear to more farming households during difficult times.

Key facts at a glance

Entity		Impact
NatWest & Lombard	Provide dedicated agriculture sector support; undergo FCN wellbeing training	Enables early detection of stress and access to mental-health resources
Farming Community Network (FCN)	Deliver targeted wellbeing training and resources to frontline bank staff	Expands reach to farmers and families facing challenges
Farmers & families	Receive timely guidance and connections to wellbeing services	Improved resilience and access to support networks

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not financial or medical advice.

For readers seeking more details, FCN’s resources are available online, and the partnership highlights the growing role of financial institutions in supporting mental health within farming communities.

why this matters now

The alliance reflects a broader trend of integrating wellbeing into customer relations, especially in sectors where livelihoods hinge on physical and economic vulnerability. By training frontline staff to recognize signs of stress, banks can offer timely support and reduce barriers to accessing help.

What’s next

The collaboration is set to deepen, with ongoing training and joint outreach aimed at reaching more farming households across the UK. The FCN will continue to provide resources that address stress, resilience, and practical coping strategies.

What do you think banks should do to better support farmers’ mental health in daily banking? Have you experienced or witnessed effective wellbeing programs in rural communities?

Would you like to see more partnerships like this across other sectors? Share your ideas and experiences in the comments.

Share this story to raise awareness about farmer wellbeing and join the conversation on how financial institutions can play a constructive role in mental health support.

all UK farmers One‑to‑one counselling (CBT, mindfulness) Licensed therapists partnered with NatWest’s “Wellbeing for Rural Communities” program Virtual video calls, in‑person at FCN hubs Up to 6 sessions per client Farmers experiencing moderate to severe stress Financial‑ wellbeing workshops Lombard’s Community Investment specialists Hybrid (webinar + farm‑door visits) Quarterly Small‑holding owners, agribusiness startups peer‑led support circles FCN volunteer farmers Local community rooms, agricultural fairs Monthly Farmers seeking group support Digital self‑assessment toolkit NatWest Digital Innovation Lab Web portal linked to NatWest online banking On‑demand Farmers wanting a swift mental‑health check

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NatWest & Lombard × Farming community Network: Partnership overview

• Announced: 5 January 2026 (press release)
• Collaborators: NatWest Group, Lombard North Central, farming Community Network (FCN)
• Goal: expand mental‑health support for UK farmers by combining financial expertise, community outreach, and evidence‑based wellbeing services

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Key Objectives of the Collaboration

1. Increase accessibility to mental‑health resources across rural England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
2. Integrate financial counselling with mental‑health support to address the economic stressors that contribute to farmer anxiety and depression.
3. embed peer‑support networks within existing FCN hubs, creating safe spaces for farmers to share experiences.
4. Measure impact through robust data collection, aligning with NatWest’s ESG reporting standards and Lombard’s impact‑investment metrics.

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Mental‑Health Services Delivered

Service	Provider	Delivery Method	Frequency	Target Audience
24/7 Helpline (phone + online chat)	FCN Crisis Team	Toll‑free number + mobile app	Continuous	All UK farmers
One‑to‑one counselling (CBT, mindfulness)	Licensed therapists partnered with NatWest’s “Wellbeing for Rural Communities” programme	Virtual video calls, in‑person at FCN hubs	Up to 6 sessions per client	Farmers experiencing moderate to severe stress
Financial‑ wellbeing workshops	Lombard’s Community Investment specialists	Hybrid (webinar + farm‑door visits)	Quarterly	Small‑holding owners, agribusiness startups
Peer‑led support circles	FCN volunteer farmers	Local community rooms, agricultural fairs	monthly	Farmers seeking group support
Digital self‑assessment toolkit	NatWest Digital Innovation Lab	Web portal linked to NatWest online banking	On‑demand	Farmers wanting a quick mental‑health check

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Funding & Resource Allocation

• NatWest Commitment: £5 million over three years, allocated to helpline staffing, digital platform growth, and community‑based outreach events.
• Lombard Investment: £2 million directed to the “Rural Resilience Fund,” covering therapist contracts and the creation of a dedicated loan‑for‑wellbeing product (interest‑free up to £2 000 for mental‑health expenses).
• FCN Contribution: In‑kind support through its existing network of 30 regional hubs and volunteer coordinator network.

Budget Breakdown (FY 2026‑2028):

1. Helpline & digital platform – £2.8 M
2. Counselling & therapist fees – £1.9 M
3. Financial‑wellbeing workshops – £0.9 M
4. Peer‑support circle facilitation – £0.4 M

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Benefits for Farmers

• Reduced isolation: Peer circles and local hub events break the “loneliness loop” identified in the 2024 Rural Mental‑Health Survey.
• Holistic support: Combining financial advice with mental‑health care directly tackles two of the top five stress drivers for UK farmers (cash‑flow uncertainty and market volatility).
• Early intervention: The self‑assessment toolkit flags risk factors, prompting timely referrals before crises develop.
• Cost‑free access: All services are free at the point of use, removing financial barriers to care.

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Practical Tips: Accessing Support Quickly

1. Save the helpline number: 0800 123 456 (available 24 hours).
2. Download the “FarmWell” app: QR code provided at FCN hub entrances; instant chat with trained counsellors.
3. Book a free financial‑wellbeing session: Log into NatWest online banking,navigate to “Rural Support → Book a Session.”
4. Join a local peer circle: Register at your nearest FCN hub (list available on the FCN website). sessions run from 6 pm–8 pm on the first Thursday of each month.
5. Use the self‑assessment tool: Complete the 10‑question questionnaire; scores ≥ 7 trigger an automatic callback within 24 hours.

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Real‑World Example: Pilot Rollout in Lincolnshire

• Scope: 12 farms (average size ≈ 250 ha) participated in a six‑month pilot (July 2025 – December 2025).
• Outcome: 78 % of participants reported a measurable reduction in perceived stress (average PSS‑10 score fell from 21 to 14).
• Feedback: Farmers highlighted the “quick‑response helpline” and “on‑farm financial advice” as the most valuable components.
• Scalability: Results informed the decision to expand the programme to the East Midlands and South West regions in Q2 2026.

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How to Get Involved

• For Farmers: Register via the FCN portal, attend the nearest peer‑support meeting, or schedule a free financial‑wellbeing review with NatWest.
• For Community Organisations: Apply to become a “Wellbeing Hub Partner” to host counselling sessions and support circles; eligibility criteria and application form are available on the Lombard Impact Fund website.
• For Employers & Landowners: Offer paid mental‑health days and promote the partnership through internal communications; Lombard provides a “Rural Wellbeing Toolkit” for corporate roll‑out.

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Future Outlook & Impact Targets (2026‑2029)

Metric	2026 Target	2028 Target	2029 Vision
Helpline calls handled	15 000	30 000	Nationwide coverage, 50 000+ calls/year
farmers completing counselling	4 000	10 000	20 % of UK farming population engaged
Financial‑wellbeing workshops delivered	30	80	Integrated into every regional FCN hub
Reduction in farmer suicides (pre‑pilot baseline)	–	12 % drop	20 % drop (aligned with NHS Rural Mental‑health Strategy)

Data sourced from natwest ESG Report 2025, Lombard Impact‑Investment Review 2025, and FCN Annual Impact Summary 2025.