26th April 2017
As part of its ‘The Responsible Choice’ sustainability and responsibility initiative, Frontier Agriculture has committed to work with outside partners to help raise awareness of mental health issues.
Agriculture has been recognised by the Government as an area of occupation where people are at more risk of encountering depression.
From 2017 Frontier will be working alongside the umbrella charity, Farming Help on a range of fund raising and awareness projects.
Farming Help operates a confidential ‘umbrella’ helpline on behalf of four separate agricultural charities: Addington Fund, The Farming Community Network, and the R.A.B.I (Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution) and RSABI (formerly known as the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution).
By calling Farming Help on 03000 111 999 anyone who works in agriculture can gain access to support and advice from any of these charities. In this way people can quickly find help on anything from depression, to financial problems or even housing advice.
Speaking about this news, Sharon Kennett, chair of Frontier’s The Responsible Choice steering group said: “The charities that make up Farming Help do great work helping farmers and their families when they are in difficulty. However, people often aren’t aware of just how much support is available or how to access it.
“Our Responsible Choice group identified this as an area where we could make a difference. We recognised that Frontier could use its scale and position to make a positive impact on the farming community. We can help by fund raising and by raising awareness among our farm advisory colleagues and farmer customers of the support available.”
Paul Burrows, chief executive of R.A.B.I, speaking on behalf of Farming Help said: “I’d like to thank Frontier for their pro-active approach in helping to raise awareness of mental health issues within the agricultural sector. It is something that we (the Farming Help charities) increasingly encounter in carrying out our valuable work and we thank Frontier for raising funds to help us continue to provide support to the sector.”
This new collaboration between Frontier and Farming Help will be signalled by Frontier’s support of Mental Health Awareness Week from 8th May. Sharon added: “Our Responsible Choice initiative is a long term project. We’re looking forward to working with Farming Help in the months and years to come beginning with fund raising events and promotion during Mental Health Awareness Week.”
More about the charities collaborating under the umbrella of Farming Help:
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Addington Fund provides homes for farming families who have to leave their farm and by doing so will lose their home. In times of emergency, and where hardship prevails, Addington may be able to support a farm business through its Trustees' Discretionary Fund with a short term grant. In certain counties the Fund may be able to accommodate farm workers through its Affordable Rural Housing Scheme. |
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A UK network of volunteers from the farming community and rural churches. FCN provides a Helpline and a visiting service to farming people and families who are facing difficulties. FCN's volunteers provide pastoral and practical support for as long as it is needed, helping people to find a positive way through their problems. Callers to the Helpline who need FCN support are put in touch with a local volunteer. |
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R.A.B.I is a grant-making charity that provides confidential help to retired and working farming people in financial difficulty. Support covers all ages and is tailored to the individual, including one-off and regular grants, replacing essential household items, funding for disability equipment, care home fees, relief farm staff and training grants to help people develop skills to bring in off-farm income. |
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R.S.A.B.I is a unique Scottish charity providing financial assistance and support to those who have been involved or are still involved with farming, crofting and growing, and their dependants. |
Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 8-14 May 2017. More at: www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week.
