Changed Lives: Rural Support helping communities through the crisis

There can be a perception in the agricultural community that farming is a man’s job.

However, women in agriculture are finally becoming more and more visible, with the Office for National Statistics in 2018 reporting that 17 per cent of farmers employed in the UK are now female, an increase of 10 per cent since 2008.

Of the 24,000 farms in Northern Ireland, fewer than one in 10 are headed by a woman, but this, of course, doesn’t include the significant number of women supporting farm businesses and who are also involved in the community helping the sector to grow.

Rural Support, based in Cookstown, is one such organisation, whose staff team currently all happen to be women.

Leading the organisation is Veronica Morris who took up the role of chief executive at the start of this year.

She joined a team of eight other women, all highly qualified and experienced, and the staff team continues to expand, despite the challenges of Covid 19.

With 2020 becoming one of the most unpredictable years in recent history, with livestock markets closing, market value decreasing and many farmers facing isolation, Rural Support was tasked with providing practical and tangible help to those in most need.

Despite having to work from home since mid-March, with many juggling home schooling and childcare, the team had to adapt their working methods to keep services going, particularly the helpline which saw a threefold increase in cases compared to the same period in previous years.

They were also ably supported by those in the volunteer and mentor teams – many of whom are also women.

Speaking about the recent challenges, Veronica Morris said: “When I started working in Rural Support in January, there was no way of knowing the way this year would go.

“However, in my experience, most women love a challenge and the dedication of the team – staff, mentors, volunteers and trustees – has meant that we have been able to continue to support the farming community, with the breadth of our services extending far beyond their original remit, in order to meet the needs as they were presented to us.”

Despite the challenges the organisation has taken on a variety of new projects over the past nine months with a number of strategic partnerships being developed.

One example is the Across the Hedgerow project which was developed with YFCU which provides a befriending service for older and vulnerable people in the farming community.

It is also developing an online resources hub in partnership with HSENI, for launch later in the Autumn, to provide a practical way to source information and services to help develop stronger and more resilient farm businesses, and create happier and healthier farm families.

Also, of particular note is the upcoming Winter 2020 Programme, including the ‘Business of Farming’ funded by NFU Mutual Charitable Trust, which will provide a variety of information sessions, and workshops and one to one mentoring, to help farmers and their families strengthen the farm family and the farm business.

The programme will be officially launched by Minister Poots and Minister Swann next week.

Veronica said: “No organisation or group whose remit is to support the farming community can work in isolation and collaborative working is something that women do very well.

“Rural Support exists to strengthen the farm family and provide support to strengthen their farm business.

“We look forward to being a core part of that effort as the sector steps forward to face its immediate and longer-term challenges into Brexit and beyond”.

*Rural Support provides a listening and signposting service for farmers and farming families across Northern Ireland through its helpline (0800 138 1678), which is available 9am-9pm, Monday to Friday (voicemail and support options available at all other times.

Freephone from all UK landlines and mobiles).

It can provide support, help with sourcing information and advice about a wide range of issues including: family issues,such as relationship breakups or bereavement, planning for the future, whether it be making a will or considering retirement; health and health issues, including isolation, loneliness and lack of access to services.

Rural Support also provides free business and financial mentoring.

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