Neville Dyke from Frome shares all about the NHS health hub

I am member of Good News for Everyone (formerly the Gideons), and we were called on because the chaplain was retiring at the market in Frome. I am a Lay Chaplain and took on the role after the other Chaplain retired. I provide religious or spiritual guidance to people who need it. We offer reflective and non-judgmental listening to people who are going through difficult times.

I am at the Frome Market, which takes place on a Wednesday and Friday, where I can talk to people and offer them spiritual guidance or signpost them to FCN. We also have an NHS health hub where people can be seen by a nurse, mental health nurse and sometimes a podiatrist. Farmers can have things checked such as blood pressure or diabetes, and if needed, they can be referred to their GP.

FCN was left a sum of money from a local farmer, Richard Oakly, to help with projects like this. We are putting up a building and funding some nurses so someone is there all of the time.

Farmers are very practical and would rather avoid paperwork and things that need addressing, and tend their fields or their livestock instead. I’ve seen one or two people who are struggling and need new hips or knees and are having to wait a long time for surgery. But actually speaking to someone at the FCN or even visiting the health hub can galvanize them into looking after themselves.

Also at the market is Rupert Cox, from Farmerados. His mantra is ‘the answer to our problems is each other’. Just talking to someone can help prevent mental health issues and suicide. We’re all linked really – the Chaplain, the Farmerados, the FCN.

Column by Neville Dyke
FCN Volunteer in Somerset