I WAS moved to Taunton from Bristol in the late 1980’s by my then employers NatWest Bank and over the ensuing years my job increasingly involved working with the agricultural sector.

For the last 20 years I was working exclusively with a farming client base as a relationship manager and it was during this time that I became aware of the work of FCN. Indeed, one of my clients said in passing “when you retire, we could do with an ex bank manager in our FCN group”.

So it came to pass that when I did actually retire from the bank one of the first things I did was to make contact with the Somerset FCN co-ordinator, Suzie Wilkinson at the time, and offered to help out.

I have been warmly welcomed in to the group and have been impressed by the wide range of experience, expertise and skills of the team and most importantly the level of commitment and energy shown.

Within the group we have a solicitor, consultant, land agent, accountant, several farmers, vets and some mental health trained specialists so we are well placed to support the farming community.

I have been volunteering as a “caseworker” ever since - specialising in financial cases. I have generally found that almost every financial case has some other underlying issue - whether it be family or relationship disputes, health - physical or mental, bereavements or in some cases bad luck. Against this background, I will often work with other team members to support the farmers who contact us.

I would also add that with financial issues, often, the earlier we are involved, the better the outcome.

Whilst we are not here to “give advice” we do our best to walk with and support those in need and help explore both practical solutions and provide ongoing pastoral support.