Farmer Support Group COVID 19

This is a farm support group to provide mutual support to one another during the coronavirus pandemic as and when needed.   With one message you can ask the group for help with a specialist task or cover for someone who is ill.    As  many Farm Workers’ jobs are specialist, the chances of finding someone who can do a particular role if workers are self-isolating/off sick is very unlikely, unless they already work on a farm elsewhere.

The easiest way to set up a communication group is via Whatsapp – most people use it nowadays but it is easy to set up a group and share it via email in order to get people to join – we would also encourage you to share with your colleagues, friends and neighbours to spread the word through the community (this is not restricted to farms within the North Wessex Downs – those outside the boundaries can join if within a sensible distance).

If anyone isn’t familiar with Whatsapp, then Susie Brew at PCAP or Claire McCorquodale of the NWD AONB  will be happy to talk you through it.

Susie Brew – 07802 444022 – pcap@hotmail.co.uk

Claire McCorquodale – 07717 644991 –ClaireMcCorquodale@northwessexdowns.org.uk

How to Join

Instructions on how to join the Whatsapp group – NWD Farming Community:

Via the app:

  1. On your mobile device, add the Whatsapp app either from Apple or Google Play Store if you don’t already have it installed.
  2. Click on this link https://chat.whatsapp.com/HD9TiJKClBQLauYd8y8Gu2 – the joining process is very straightforward.

Via the web:

  1. Use Chrome as the browser and click on this link chat.whatsapp.com/HD9TiJKClBQLauYd8y8Gu2
  2. Click Join the Chat
  3. You have an option to download the app – you don’t have to do this and can go straight to the web version (known as Whatsapp Web)

Once you are in Whatsapp, it would be useful if the farmers could make sure their names/farm name are on their Whatsapp details otherwise it just shows up as a mobile number, so it isn’t clear who it is.  (To edit your existing Whatsapp details on a phone click on the 3 dots in the top right hand corner, click on settings and then tap your name/ phone number at the top of the screen and edit your name to include the farm name).