5 minute read
Sowing seeds of wellbeing to grow support
ALIX RITCHIE, PROGRAMME DIRECTOR, FARMSTRONG SCOTLAND
Anyone in farming and crofting communities know, life on the land comes with ups and downs. It is the nature of the job given its exposure to so many changeable external factors dominated by the weather, finances and the day-to-day of getting the work done.
During busy times, or when things do not go to plan, it is important to always remember that our resilience and ability to cope relies on us looking after our wellbeing. We must bank the better times to fill the reserves, so that we have something stored for the more intense periods in our lives. This has included SRUC, who kindly supported our initial survey and research, ensuring the need for Farmstrong and supporting the development of the programme. As well as SAC Consulting having helped us cover costs during various events and tours, offering spaces for meetings, or raising funds and awareness of Farmstrong. The momentum we have gained, and continue to receive, wouldn’t have been possible without this positive show of support.
This is very much the philosophy at Farmstrong Scotland, a relatively new charity, emulating a programme originally created in 2015 in New Zealand’s farming community. Through peer-to-peer stories and tips, supported by research, the programme provides a range of insights, tools, and events to help Scottish farmers and crofters make small changes that will have a big impact on their wellbeing.
Each year, we survey hundreds of farmers and crofters to understand the challenges they face and the techniques they use to stay positive and healthy. With guidance from wellbeing advisors, we have developed tools and resources to help with stress management, better sleep, and building a more resilient mindset. This enables us to share science-backed resources in the areas people can struggle with.
Despite working in the same sectors, Farmstrong does not replicate the important one-to-one advice offered by organisations like RSABI, Breathing Space, the Samaritans, and the NHS, who all do a wonderful job in their own spaces. Farmstrong’s role is to promote better wellbeing behaviours to help farmers and crofters to live well so that they can farm and croft well, in the hope that the need for individual support diminishes.
We must bank the better times to fill the reserves.
Our Wellbeing Hub is full of podcasts, case studies and videos featuring real experiences – each one telling a very different story about how people improve and maintain their wellbeing on a day-to-day basis. In addition to this, the Five Ways to Wellbeing approach is fundamental to Farmstrong’s guidance, focusing on small, simple steps that can be developed into habits to help you keep on top of things. International research shows that people who follow these five practices thrive: being active, connecting, giving, taking notice, and keeping on learning.
This year, we have focused especially on connection, which runs through everything we do. From hosting events, attending summer agricultural shows, or working with people who are hosting events in their community - these connections all help us to spread the message and normalise conversations about wellbeing.
Our events are created to bring people together, always in a place where they will be comfortable. We’ve run ‘Walk & Talks’ on farms up and down the country, held Blether Together Live evening events on farms and in rugby clubs, and encouraged and supported community-led events that invite our agricultural networks to come together and look after their social wellbeing – all whilst ensuring we laugh as well as learn something new.
We know that getting away from the farm is not always possible, so it is important to bring events and resources to people - wherever they are. The Blether Together podcast is a monthly conversation with people talking openly about their lives and their personal wellbeing hacks. Hosted by former BBC journalist, Sarah Stephen, each podcast is relatable and delivered in a warm and uplifting style for listeners to enjoy while they work.
The contributors who have shared their stories play a huge role in spreading the word and impact of our core messages. The support that we have received has been overwhelming, from our founding funders Movember, The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust, and RHASS, to every individual who has fundraised for us, told their story, attended an event or visited our show stands – the momentum we have gained wouldn’t have been possible without this positive show of support.
It is important to continue to build on this progress – our new Farmstrong Supporters webpage allows visitors to explore the range of different options to show support – from hosting an event, to sharing our resources, or fundraising for Farmstrong, there are lots of ways to get involved.
If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, talk to someone. Contact your doctor, RSABI (24-hours); 0808 123 4555 Breathing Space: 0800 838 587 or Samaritans (24-hours): 116 123.
