In response to increased demand from the farming community, RABI is extending its freephone helpline this autumn to provide a 24-hour service. Charlotte Cunningham reports.
The national farming charity believes that a ‘round the clock’ service will better meet the needs of a sector renowned for working long and often unpredictable hours.
“Improving accessibility and ensuring farming people know there is someone to talk to who will understand them, no matter what time it is, is a priority for RABI,” says Alicia Chivers, chief executive of RABI.
“For generations, RABI has provided guidance and support to the farming community. With the challenges facing farming people becoming increasingly diverse and complex it is crucial that we remove as many barriers to accessing vital help as possible.
“Talking to someone and proactively seeking support is such a positive step and now there will be someone available at any time of the night or day. The 24/7 helpline will remain free for all to access and is an important addition to RABI’s services.”
RABI is employing a progressive strategy of evolution to ensure there is a toolkit of holistic support available for people to access as they need it.
Working with partners to strengthen and broaden the charity’s reach, RABI recently introduced the online wellbeing platform rabi.org.uk/kooth, and launched the sector-wide research project – The Big Farming Survey.
The roll-out of RABI’s Community Pillars Scheme pilots, bringing together small forums of local farming people within safe, informal but supported environments will continue during 2021.
