Charity meets secretary of state about social inequality in farming in Cornwall
RABI are promoting greater understanding about the impact on farming families
A charity have spoken out about the impact of social inequality in farming in Cornwall at the Royal Cornwall Show last week.
RABI chief executive, Alicia Chivers hosted the Rt Hon Dr Thérèse Coffey MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the RABI stand at the Royal Cornwall Show on Thursday (8 June 2023).
Alicia reiterated the importance of continuing to develop a constructive dialogue between the charity and parliamentarians.
She said: "RABI has a unique and valuable role to play, ensuring that the impacts of future policy decisions on farming people are central in the minds of policymakers over the coming months and years.
"We are privileged to work with farming communities across England and Wales, and believe that, when coupled with powerful insights gained from our research, such as RABI’s recent Big Farming Survey, we can help politicians and legislators develop policies with a greater awareness of what they will mean for farming people’s lives."
The Secretary of State heard about the rapid progression of RABI’s new mental health services, including online and in-person counselling and professional mental health training.
Alicia added: "Whilst our Big Farming Survey found that 36% of the farming community are probably or possibly depressed and 47% are experiencing some form of anxiety, we were still surprised that demand for our in-person counselling grew at over 12 times our forecast last year.
"Farming people’s wellbeing can often be overlooked, which our experience tells us can lead to a downward spiral for farmers and their families. Collectively we need to consider what we can all do to better look after our farming communities. Easy access to mental health support is one of our key aspects to begin developing preventative programmes of support."
RABI made the case to the Secretary of State to continue dialogue with the charity following the recent EFRA Committee Rural Mental Health Report, which cited RABI’s Big Farming Survey when evidencing the unacceptable levels of poor mental wellbeing of the farming community.
The Secretary of State was also introduced to RABI regional support manager Lindsay Derbyshire and heard firsthand how the charity’s work in the Southwest is making tangible differences to the farming community. Local Auctioneer and RABI volunteer, Edward Buckland was also introduced.