The FCN/Len鈥檚 Light Nuffield Farming Scholarship is inspired by Warwickshire farmers and NFU members Andy and Lynda Eadon, whose son Len took his own life in January 2022.
They have since made it their mission to raise awareness of the challenges of mental health in rural and farming communities and to ensure that nobody feels alone.
The scholarship will sponsor Nuffield Scholars focusing on topics that:
- support people in farming and rural communities
- help to address issues of loneliness and isolation
- explore health inequalities in farming / rural communities; or
- encourage a positive mindset and help to build resilience.
Applications must be submitted online before before 31 July. .
鈥楴o one in the rural community should feel alone鈥�
On the launch of the scholarship, Andy and Lynda said: 鈥淪ince the tragic loss of our son Len in 2022 we have become passionate to engage, particularly with young people in the rural community.
鈥淗ighlighting the importance of understanding their own mental health and the need to be honest, open and talk.
鈥淲e continually talk about 鈥榩ositive鈥� mental health to try to reduce the stigma that the words 鈥榤ental health鈥� have.
鈥�No one in the rural community should feel alone and isolated.鈥�
NFU members Andy and Lynda Eadon
鈥淣o one in the rural community should feel alone and isolated, and this new scholarship has the ability to shine a light brighter and wider on the complex issues that impact on everyone鈥檚 mental health.鈥�
Andy and Lynda thanked the FCN and Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust for their support 鈥渁nd for acknowledging Len鈥檚 Light, and thus contributing to the legacy we are trying to leave in his name鈥�.
Rupert Alers-Hankey, Director, Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust, said mental health and wellbeing is 鈥渃onsistently cited as one of the biggest challenges facing the industry鈥� adding that it is hoped the scholarship will 鈥渂uild further knowledge and pave the way for positive change in this area鈥�.
FCN Chief Exec Dr Jude McCann said the scholarship was an 鈥渋mportant opportunity to focus on health, wellbeing and resilience鈥�.听
Len's Light campaign
NFU Deputy President David Exwood said the news was 鈥渂rilliant鈥�, describing Andy and Lynda as 鈥渢ireless advocates for mental health in farming鈥�.
Their work was recognised when they were named NFU Farming Champions of the Year in 2023 and Community Farming Heroes in 2022.
鈥淭his scholarship is a testament to their hard work, bravery and resilience in the face of a devastating family tragedy to promote talking about mental health and reducing stigma in the farming community,鈥� David added.
鈥淭he NFU, along with others in the sector, have also made strides in addressing this very difficult subject. By starting conversations and supporting initiatives like this scholarship, we can make a real difference and ensure no one in the farming community feels alone.鈥�
The national has been raising funds for the , and (prevention of young suicide).
Last year saw Andy hit the road on a nationwide tractor drive from John O鈥橤roats to Land鈥檚 End on a 鈥�Len鈥檚 Light tractor relay鈥� to show that no-one should feel alone or isolated in the UK鈥檚 rural communities.
Andy and Lynda have also produced a 鈥�5 A Day Checklist鈥� that people can readily refer to each day. This has been produced as a 鈥榗redit card鈥� size that fits easily into a wallet or purse and has helpline numbers on the reverse.
For anyone who has been affected by Len Eadon's story, help is available. Samaritans are here 鈥� day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on听116 123, or visit听听to find the nearest branch.
