MIND YOUR HEAD HERO NORTHERN IRELAND – Rev. Kenny Hanna
In Northern Ireland, this year’s Mind Your Head Hero is a man whose presence in the rural community carries a quiet but unmistakable weight. With roots firmly planted in agriculture and still working part‑time on the land himself, Rev. Kenny Hanna brings an authenticity that cannot be taught. He understands the pressures of the yard, the rhythm of the seasons and the unspoken burdens that farmers so often carry alone.
Rev. Kenny Hanna
Kenny’s approach to rural wellbeing is characteristically holistic. Mind, body and soul are, in his view, inseparable and his work has centred on ensuring that support reaches farmers in the places where they feel most at home. It is this philosophy that has driven the success of multiple multi‑agency initiatives delivered not in boardrooms but in livestock marts, community halls and local churches across the province. In these familiar settings, he has helped chart new pathways for connection, conversation and care.
According to Victoria Ross of Rural Support: “Kenny’s unwavering dedication, compassion and tireless commitment to supporting farm families, often at their most challenging moments, truly sets him apart. He consistently puts the thoughts, feelings and wellbeing of others first, offering guidance, reassurance and a listening ear whenever it is needed.”
Kenny’s influence extends into the next generation too. Through his involvement with local schools, he works to nurture early awareness of mental and emotional wellbeing among young people from farming families, gently opening doors to conversations that are too often left unspoken until crisis strikes.
His ability to meet people exactly where they are – without judgement and without pressure has earned him trust across Northern Ireland’s farming community.
In honouring Rev. Kenny Hanna, we recognise a man whose dedication is felt not through grand gestures but through daily acts of compassion. He is a steady advocate, an empathetic listener and, above all, a reassuring presence in a sector that rarely pauses to look after itself. Northern Ireland’s Mind Your Head Hero stands as a reminder that leadership, at its finest, is rooted in humanity.
