Social Farming Ireland, which promotes access to farming and livestock for people who are socially, physically or mentally disadvantaged, is to run a series of farmer wellbeing events over the course of the next month in various locations around the country.

Social Farming Ireland said the five planned events will be tailored for farmers and their families.

The events are organised by the Leitrim Development Company, with support from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

These meetings take place this month and next month across five regional social farms and venues in Ireland, and will focus on mental health, stress management, and overall wellbeing for farming communities.

The events are free but registration is required prior to attendance. All events will take place from 6:30p.m to 8:30p.m.

The locations of events are:

Wednesday, October 23 - Hartwell Farm, Kill, Co. Kildare (hosted by Stephen Morrison);
October 24 - Ballymoe Community Centre, Ballymoe, Co. Galway;
October 29 - Great Oak Farm, Callan, Co. Kilkenny (hosted by Louise and Eamonn Maher);
November 5 - Garbally Dairy Farm, Kilmeedy, Co. Limerick (hosted by Barry Gilbourne);
November 11 - Ross, Co. Meath (hosted by Richard Moeran).

The events will feature speakers from the farming sector who will discuss mental health and wellbeing issues affecting farmers and their families.

The speakers will provides practical advice and support on managing stress and improving mental health.

This series of meetings comes hot on the heels of Social Farming Ireland's Social Farming Awareness Week, which ran from October 7 to October 11.

The awareness week coincided with World Mental Health Day on October 10 and October as Mental Health Month.

Several open days were hosted by farms around the country during the week.

Speaking at the time, Social Farming Ireland coordinator Helen Doherty said: "Connecting is a key benefit that can be derived from a social farming experience, and through connecting with the farmer and the community hinterland, many people can improve their health and wellbeing."