Suffolk agricultural chaplain expands support service to farmers across the UK
He says he's still seeing demand and wants to be able to help as many people as possible
A Suffolk agricultural chaplain who has spent years supporting farmers through some of their most difficult moments is expanding his work nationwide, after a growing number of calls from outside the county.
Graham Miles, who has served as Suffolk’s agricultural chaplain for the past six years, says farmers from across the UK have been contacting him for pastoral and emotional support, prompting the creation of a new charity to remove county boundaries from his work.
"It doesn’t matter where they’re from, I’m there for them"
Mr Miles said he had received calls from farmers as far afield as Cumbria and Cambridgeshire, many of whom were struggling with pressure, uncertainty and worries about the future of their family farms.
“Reaching out is so important,” he said. “If a farmer picks up the phone and makes that call, it doesn’t matter where they’re from, I’m there for them. It takes a lot of courage to do that in the first place.”
While continuing to support farmers in Suffolk, the new charity, Farmers Support UK, will allow Mr Miles to officially offer help across the country, including attending agricultural shows and visiting farmers without geographical restrictions.
He said the role would remain largely unchanged, just under a new structure.
“I’m doing the same work, just under a different title,” he said. “I’m still offering pastoral care, my phone is still there 24/7 like it’s always been.”
Mr Miles said many of the conversations he has had in recent months have been deeply emotional, particularly with farmers who feel a strong responsibility to protect land passed down through generations.
“Farmers have said to me that their grandparents and ancestors looked after this land, and now it’s in their care,” he said. “They feel they’ve let them down because of the issues they’re facing, and they’re desperate to leave that farm for the next generation.”
He said, despite long hours, financial pressure and uncertainty, many farmers remain committed to their work.
“They’re so passionate about providing food for this country,” he said. “They love what they do, even in all weathers and with all the challenges.”
"They’re looking after their colleagues and making sure support is there”
The charity has been set up by farmers themselves, something Mr Miles says is crucial.
“They understand what’s needed because they’re farmers,” he said. “They’re looking after their colleagues and making sure support is there.”
Alongside one-to-one support, Mr Miles is well known across farming communities through social media and farmer-led networks. He says word of mouth remains one of the most effective ways of reaching those who need help.
“I’m on farming WhatsApp groups and Facebook groups, people know I’m there for them and their families,” he said.
Mr Miles acknowledged the emotional toll of the work, particularly when speaking to farmers who feel overwhelmed or hopeless, but said he has his own support network in place.
“I’ve got people I can turn to and talk to,” he said. “That support matters too.”
He also paid tribute to the Suffolk church community that supported his work over the past six years, saying the move would allow him to reach more people without worrying about crossing county boundaries.
“I feel I can reach out to a lot more people now,” he said. “It’s going to make life a lot easier — and hopefully help more farming families when they need it most.”