Unique support service for farming community

THOSE living in country areas who feel the need to confide in someone will, later this summer, have a confidential listening and support service provided by RSABI, Scotland's only charity dedicated to helping people who have depended on the land, writes Andrew Arbuckle.

The initiative comes in response to a significant increase in the number of individuals approaching RSABI for help of a non-financial nature. Entitled Gatepost, it will offer the farming community a stress-support service.

Gatepost will take the form of a dedicated helpline, staffed by people who understand farming, and have specialist knowledge and experience in stress and crisis support.

Recruitment is under way and it is hoped the service will become operational in the summer, once staff are in place. Gatepost will be funded initially through release of residual funding from the RSABI 2007 Foot-and-Mouth Disease Emergency Fund.

Dr Maurice Hankey, RSABI chief executive, accepted there were a number of extremely valuable support services. But he felt there was a need for a specific service tailored to the Scottish farming community which can offer support from people who fully understand life on the farm.

He said: "This service will be offering exactly what its name suggests – somewhere to lean and catch your breath whilst contemplating how to overcome current stresses, as well as a place where you can share your thoughts or problems safe in the knowledge that they will go no further.

"RSABI is logically placed to deliver this service which is specific to the farming community and will be able to react to their often unique needs. We want people to know that such a service is available, is easily accessible and able to help them sooner rather than later.

"We look forward to Gatepost becoming fully operational and to delivering real benefit to the farming community. We are recruiting for helpline staff and are keen to hear from those who understand both farming and stress support."