Rural Support joins forces with key agri companies

As well as Rural Support members of the Forum Steering Group include: UFU; NFU Mutual; United Feeds; Chestnutt Animal Feeds; Moy Park; Ulster Bank; Danske Bank; HSENI; Northern Health and Social Care Trust; Farm Family Health Checks Programme; Rural GPs; Rural Community Network; VetNI; ABP Food Group; Healthy Living Centre Alliance; Community Development and Health Network; and Mindwise.

Speaking after the Steering Group’s inaugural meeting last week, Veronica Morris, Chief Executive of Rural Support said: “The pressure on farmers and farming families is significant and growing - Rural Support and other farmer-facing organisations are seeing it on the ground, day and daily, particularly relating to mental health stressors.

“Over this past year, with the added challenge of Covid19 restrictions, it became apparent that the sector needed to unite and do more together to tackle these pressures. The Rural Health Forum is the result of a number of organisations coming together for that common good and will shine a light on the needs and level of complexity that rural life brings to our farming families and their mental and physical health; the impact of isolation and loneliness; as well as addressing challenges in accessing appropriate support.

“It will also have a role in undertaking evidence-based research; providing practical information and resources; and, delivering focused events and training so that people across the sector have the information they need to help themselves get, and stay, well.

“One of the first outputs from the Forum will be to deliver farmer-facing employee training in mental health awareness and emotional wellbeing which will be rolled out across agri-sector and related businesses over coming months”.

The Forum will also work with similar groups across the UK incorporating the National Mental Health Forum (Scotland), the National Rural Health and Care Centre (England) and the Mental Health Foundation (Wales) to form a four nations group which will share best practice and research and ensure that the varying needs of farmers and farming families in the four main regions is understood across the UK.

The Rural Health Forum will meet on a quarterly basis, with the next meeting taking place in Summer 2021. Other groups and organisations may join the Forum as members in coming months once the operation is up and running. For more information contact Rural Support on 028 8676 0040 or email [email protected].

Rural Support continues to help farmers and farm families who are facing financial pressures, physical and mental health concerns as well as matters relating to succession and bereavement.

If you or someone you know would benefit from speaking to Rural Support please ring their support-line which is confidential and is available 9am-9pm, Monday to Friday (voicemail and support options available at all other times). The freephone support line number is 0800 138 1678.