A national organisation which supports struggling farmers has appointed Bishop Helen-Ann as one of its trustees.
The Farming Community Network (FCN) is a voluntary organisation and charity founded on Christian values that helps farmers and their families through difficult times.
FCN is a network of over 350 volunteers, many of whom are involved in farming, or have close links with agriculture and therefore have a great understanding of the issues farmers and farming families regularly face.
Bishop Helen-Ann, speaks for the diocese on rural issues, which are particularly relevant in her Episcopal Area of Ripon.
‘It’s a great honour to be asked to become a trustee of FCN," she said.
"In my travels around the diocese, and particularly in the Ripon Episcopal Area, I’ve met a number of people who have valued the practical and emotional support that FCN volunteers provide.
"These are times of great uncertainty and anxiety for all who work in agriculture, and this isn’t going to change for the foreseeable future.
"I look forward to working with other trustees to ensure that FCN can continue to provide support into the future, alongside other organisations and charities in the farming sector."
A spokesman for FCN said:
"FCN was founded on Christian values in 1995 and its work in the farming community is underpinned by a strong Christian ethos.
"Volunteers are motivated by their faith when helping to serve the farming community, and can offer pastoral support for anyone that requests it, whatever their faith, but do not evangelise and support those of all faiths or none.
"Farming is an inherently risky and volatile industry to work in.
Farmers are regularly forced to deal with issues on the farm that are beyond their control, such as animal disease, fluctuating market prices and the weather.
"On top of their responsibilities on the farm, farmers also deal with issues in their personal life, such as relationship breakdowns, physical health problems and bereavement.
British farming employs approximately 475,000 people and contributes around £10 billion to the UK economy every year."