FARMING CHARITY LAUNCHES NEW LISTENING AND SUPPORT SERVICE

FARMING CHARITY LAUNCHES NEW LISTENING AND SUPPORT SERVICE

RSABI, Scotland’s only charity dedicated to helping people who have depended on the land, has launched a confidential listening and support service for Scotland’s farming community.

In response to the number of individuals now approaching RSABI for help of a non-financial nature, the charity has established the telephone helpline service, entitled GATEPOST, in order to actively offer the farming and land-based community a stress-support service.

Dr Maurice Hankey, RSABI Chief Executive, said:

“Whilst there are a number of extremely valuable support services in existence already, we felt that the Scottish farming community needed one that was specific to them.
“This service is exactly what its name suggests – somewhere to lean and catch your breath whilst contemplating how to overcome current problems, as well as a place where you can share your thoughts or problems safe in the knowledge that they will go no further. GATEPOST is about providing people with an opportunity to talk to someone they can trust, to share what is on their minds and to explore ways forward. We hope GATEPOST will be seen by people as friendly, non-judgmental and approachable at an early stage, not just for when their problems have really begun to control their lives.”
The service is led by Karen, a former occupational therapist who has lived and worked in rural Scotland for many years and has a real understanding of the difficulties farmers face.

She said: “I’ve worked with a lot of people in farming and other land-based jobs who are coping with really difficult situations, often on their own. I hope that anyone in such a situation will see GATEPOST as an alternative to managing alone – it really does help to talk, and if people need more specialist advice, on finances or health for example, we can point them in the right direction.  

“I realise that some people will find it hard to pick up the phone so I am keen to emphasise the confidentiality of the service. Callers don’t have to give their name or any personal details unless they wish to - our role is solely to offer support and someone to talk to.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

• RSABI is the Scottish charity which provides financial support, advice and friendship to improve the lives of individuals and their dependents, where these individuals rely, or have relied, upon land based employment and who through age, injury or illness or other misfortune, now experience hardship. Contact:  www.rsabi.org.uk or 0131 472 4166.
• The dedicated GATEPOST number is 0300 111 4166 and lines are open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Outside of those hours, callers will be advised of alternative sources of support. This will be reviewed in the light of calling-time profiles.
• Calls to GATEPOST are the same as standard calls to 01 and 02 numbers, from landlines and mobiles. GATEPOST derives no revenue from calls. Caller numbers will not be known to the person answering the phone.
• GATEPOST leaflets, posters, keyrings and pens will shortly be available. Please contact RSABI if you feel able to help distribute them and spread the word about GATEPOST within the farming community.
• GATEPOST is a member of The Helplines Association (THA).
• GATEPOST is funded initially through release of residual funding from the RSABI 2007 FMD Emergency Fund.
• For more information, please call Maurice Hankey on 0131 472 4144.