Scotland's leading rural charity earns high praise

A CHECK on the effectiveness of RSABI, which provides financial support, advice and friendship to those who have lived and worked on the land, has returned very positive figures for Scotland's leading rural charity.

Two thirds of beneficiaries, when asked about the beneficial effect of RSABI help, said that it had a huge positive effect on their lives, with the remaining third saying that the effect was 'quite big'.

Over 80 per cent of those surveyed earlier this year stressed the importance of the financial assistance that they receive for essential bills including heating, housing expenses and maintenance.

Respondents also praised RSABI staff as well as highlighting how the assistance they receive helps to relieve the worry associated with financial difficulty.

All assistance that RSABI offers to beneficiaries is given on a confidential basis and recipients receive a visit from an experienced welfare officer in order to talk through their difficulties. 96 per cent of survey respondents stated that they found their own welfare officer very easy to talk to and look forward to their visits.

Maurice Hankey, chief executive of RSABI, said he was enormously encouraged that beneficiaries, both past and present, hold the charity in such high regard.

"In particular, I am extremely proud of all RSABI staff who have been highly praised within the survey results.

"They are all extremely dedicated and pay high regard to ensuring that they maintain confidentiality whilst offering sensitive and kind support to beneficiaries.

Hankey added that he hoped the survey results would help to spread the word and allow RSABI to extend even further and help more people.