Christmas and the New Year can be a magical and joyful time, but for many farming people the additional pressures and expectations can also make the festive season challenging and stressful.

The agricultural charity, RABI, provides support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year via its confidential freephone helpline.

A small team of agriculturally trained specialists deliver a newly launched ‘round the clock’ service, meaning there is always someone available who understands the challenges you’re facing, and is ready to listen whenever you are ready to talk.

“The extension of our helpline to 24-hours is just one of the actions we’re taking to ensure flexible, accessible support is available to all farming people across England and Wales,” says Alicia Chivers, RABI Chief Executive.

RABI is adapting to ensure the charity can continue to meet the evolving needs of these farming communities, whilst continuing to provide the enduring support that they are perhaps best known for to those currently working and those no longer able to work, including financial support, benefits advice and practical support.

Over the coming months, RABI will be launching further new services, responding to evidence identified in the recently published Big Farming Survey report, which identified that over a third of farming people are probably or possibly depressed.

“The Big Farming Survey has been a really significant project for RABI over the past 18 months. Although the results are not surprising, the reflections of farming people’s experiences still make for difficult reading,” says Mrs Chivers.

“The poor experiences described in the survey findings must not continue. We have a real opportunity to build on the existing resilience and optimist of farming people and begin to address the issues and concerns they have raised.

“RABI’s focus now, is to ensure we use the results to enhance and expand our services, to support a greater breadth of the farming community.”

Identifying five key themes as priorities for action, the report could not have come at a more appropriate time, as farming continues to undergo a period of enormous transition and uncertainty.

Early in 2022, RABI will launch pilots of two new support schemes: a bespoke and accredited mental health training service, and in-person mental health counselling service.

Next year will also note the recommencement of the wider roll-out of RABI’s Community Pillars initiative pilots.

This will introduce a peer-to-peer, safe, confidential network of local support to help normalise the conversation around mental wellbeing.

“As the Big Farming Survey findings have highlighted, levels of poor mental health and wellbeing across the farming community are extremely concerning. We all have a part to play to normalise conversations around our mental wellbeing to help create better futures for farming people,” Mrs Chivers concludes.

Anyone seeking support can call RABI’s 24/7 helpline on 0800 188 4444.

For anyone not feeling ready to speak in person, RABI’s online wellbeing platforms provide free, confidential access to advice and counselling support via rabi.org.uk/kooth.