Okehampton fuel firm joins charity to boost support for Devon farmers

Okehampton-based Moorland Fuels has announced a new long-term partnership with rural wellbeing charity the Farming Community Network (FCN), aimed at strengthening mental health support for farmers and rural communities across Devon and Cornwall.

The fuel supplier, which provides domestic, agricultural and commercial fuel services across the South West, has committed to supporting FCN for at least the next three years.

The partnership will see Moorland Fuels staff trained to recognise the challenges facing farmers and connect those who may be struggling with specialist support.

Founded in 1995, the Farming Community Network is a national charity supporting farmers, farming families and rural communities across England and Wales through difficult times and periods of change.

It provides free, confidential pastoral support for personal and business-related issues through its helpline and a nationwide network of volunteers.

As a regular visitor to farms across the region, Moorland Fuels believes its drivers and customer service teams are well placed to identify people who may benefit from additional support.

Over the coming weeks, FCN representatives will visit Moorland Fuels to introduce staff to the charity's work and provide mental health and wellbeing training.

Drivers, sales staff and credit controllers will learn how to recognise signs that someone may be struggling and how to signpost them to appropriate support.

Drivers will also carry FCN contact cards to hand out during deliveries, helping raise awareness of the charity's services among farming families.

Alongside promoting mental wellbeing, the partnership will also see Moorland Fuels share practical advice on fuel storage, oil tank maintenance and improving fuel efficiency through FCN's communications, website and social media channels.

Georgina Lamb, Head of Partnerships at FCN, welcomed the collaboration, saying: "We are delighted to partner with such a well-respected company as Moorland Fuels.

“As well as providing vital funds for the charity, it has given us the platform to promote our work to the wider agricultural community and will help support farming families at grassroots level. We look forward to working with the team in the coming years."

Abby Turner, Director of Moorland Fuels, said: "We are proud to announce our partnership with FCN for the next three years. The farming community has and always will be a core part of our business.

“Many of our team were raised in rural communities, while others grew up on farms themselves. They know just how challenging running a farm can be and what a difference a friendly and familiar face can make.

"By joining forces with FCN, we can play our part in lending an ear and providing support when it's needed most, whether our drivers are delivering heating oil, fuel and lubricants or our customer service team are speaking with customers.

"For Moorland Fuels, the tie-up aligns closely with our 'What Matters to You, Matters to Us' ethos, and is made all the more poignant by the fact that delivering fuel can be a lonely and isolated job too.

“We hope to change that by being more connected with the farming community, keeping an eye out for each other, and giving farmers the confidence to reach out without judgement."

The partnership will extend beyond day-to-day operations, with Moorland Fuels attending FCN and Farmwell events throughout the year.

The company will also have a trade stand at this year's Okehampton Show on 13 August to help promote the charity's work to the farming community.

The initiative will also be mirrored by Moorland Fuels' sister company, Craggs Energy, which will support FCN across Yorkshire and the North West, extending the charity's reach into rural communities.

FCN operates a confidential national helpline on 03000 111 999 and an e-helpline via [email protected], available every day of the year from 7am to 11pm, offering free support to anyone living or working in farming or rural communities.

For more information, visit the Farming Community Network or Moorland Fuels websites.