A chaplain running a dedicated helpline for gay farmers has received a
steady number of calls from men struggling to cope with their
sexuality.
Keith Ineson, who is himself gay, extended the remit of his
chaplaincy after handling more than one case of a farmer suffering from
depression and isolation because he felt unable to 'come out' over his
identity.
Mr Ineson advertised his helpline in his local area and set up a
website to help farmers in similar situations.
Within the first six
months, the helpline received 52 calls in response to the extended
service of care.
“The response has been overwhelming,” he said.
Mr Ineson's helpline is funded by local Christian and secular groups in Cheshire.
He continued: “Nearly all the farmers are over 50 years of age. Some
are single, though not all. In all cases they felt they were imprisoned
and believed they were the only gay farmer around."
"In many instances the farmers were so worried about the response
they might receive that they texted or emailed the helpline anonymously.
Rural communities are not like cosmopolitan, urban areas; there is the
assumption that gay farmers don’t exist,” said Ineson.
The Arthur Rank Centre (ARC), a registered charity serving churches and the rural community, has backed the helpline.
The Rev Graham Jones, national rural officer for the Methodist Church
and the United Reformed Church at the Arthur Rank Centre, said:
“Farming is for many people an exciting and fulfilling industry in which
to be involved. It is not without its pressures, however, and many
farmers are subject to stresses and strains in their professional and
personal lives.”
The helpline was launched 14 months ago and the number of calls in
response to the extended support has led to a need for volunteers.
Christians with rural knowledge and an understanding of gay issues
are being invited to get in touch with Keith Ineson if they have an
interest in becoming involved with supporting the chaplaincy.
Churches' officer Graham Jones added: “Because of this commitment to
rural and farming communities the Arthur Rank Centre is pleased to
support the work of Keith Ineson and the helpline he has established for
gay farmers. Keith is a good and longstanding friend of the ARC and his
work as agricultural chaplain in Cheshire is enormously effective and
very highly regarded."
"In setting up the helpline Keith has helped to liberate many who
have felt imprisoned for years by their situation; feeling that they
were the only gay farmer around and anxious about the response they
might receive,” said Mr Jones.
Robert Ford, the Cheshire county chair of the National Farmers Union
(NFU), added: “You could be in the middle of a crowded room and still
feel lonely and isolated if you’re depressed. Although I don’t believe
that farming, or homosexuality within the industry, are the root causes
of depression, it’s still very reassuring to know that Keith Ineson’s
helpline is available for those farmers who find themselves facing
difficult times and the NFU wholeheartedly supports it.”