Don’t suffer in silence, charity urges

Scotland’s leading rural charity paid out more than £388,000 last year in financial support to those experiencing hardship but RSABI chief executive Maurice Hankey said he believed there was a larger number of people whom the charity could help.

The annual report points to a contradiction between the current economic climate with its tightening financial constraints and the reduced number of applicants coming forward for help.

Last year more than 500 individuals and household benefitted from payments from the charity. Support included cash to help meet fuel bills, TV licences being paid, and funding for other specific short-term needs.

The severe weather last winter brought particular problems, especially with heating, and RSABI is now increasingly working with those facing hefty fuel bills. This work includes checking on fuel tariffs and linking in to the government’s Energy Assistance Programme

Over the past year, in another attempt to reach those who might need help but who are notoriously reluctant to ask, RSABI set up “Gatepost”, a listening and support service for those living in the countryside.

The charity sees this as a first step to helping those with problems and it is the first time RSABI has gone beyond helping those who are retired or are no longer working, as it is open to those experiencing difficulties in their ongoing business.

The funding for all of this work comes from the investment portfolio, which in common with those of other charities, has come under pressure in in the past two years.

The other main source of income is from fundraising events, which have increased in the past two years with the appointment of two development officers part of whose remit is in sourcing income.

Membership has also increased and RSABI has inaugurated a corporate membership scheme in the past year. Ten firms have already signed up as supporters