Local farmers and crofters invited to attend a Farmstrong Scotland wellbeing event in Thurso
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Farmstrong Scotland – a new wellbeing initiative for farmers – will be hosted a free event in Thurso on Monday night (February 13).
SAC Consulting are supporting the event and the local team are keen for the wider farming community to come along and hear about the live well initiative being delivered by the roadshow.
Tour speaker Marc Gascoigne, a New Zealand dairy farmer and Farmstrong ambassador, will share his story of farming – opportunity, anxiety, depression and the wellbeing steps that helped him overcome his challenges.
During the event, which will take place in the Pentland Hotel at 7pm, attendees will hear more about Farmstrong Scotland and the other support available from RSABI.
The Scotland tour started at the end of January at the Royal Highland Showground, Ingliston, and has since visited locations from Dumfries and Galloway to Orkney. There will be 12 events in total, including one at the mart in Dingwall on Tuesday, February 14.
Free tickets for the Thurso event can be registered for via Eventbrite.
The team behind the tour have already heard how it is making significant impact with some people changing their daily habits to others reaching out for practical and emotional support from RSABI and medical professionals.
Rural communities and organisations have really got behind Farmstrong Scotland. A number of groups are looking to fundraise or host events to raise awareness. East Aberdeenshire District Young Farmers Clubs donated just over £500 from their tractor run, and presented it at the Aberdeen event.
Rebecca Dawes of Farmstrong Scotland said: "Movember have agreed to match fund every £1 raised up to the value of £350,000, so the fundraising is really underway now – we are calling on the industry to get behind it."
Farmstrong Scotland is a new initiative, replicating a similar model in New Zealand and complimenting existing support available. It aims to help any farmer or croft, and those who live and work with them, to improve their mental and physical wellbeing. It takes a different approach to wellbeing in rural communities in that it focuses on wellness and not illness.
Research shows that farmers and crofters are great at looking after their livestock and equipment but often neglect their own personal needs. Through this new programme, farmers and crofters will be able to access practical tools and resources that will help them take care of themselves. Topics in New Zealand have covered nutrition, managing fatigue, exercise, the importance of getting off the farm and coping with pressure.
Rebecca explained: "The Farmstrong Scotland Tour follows nearly two years of development including research to ensure we get the programme right for Scotland. I was originally sparked by the Doug Avery tour in 2018, which inspired conversations after from farmers and crofters asking, what comes next.
"That is why this tour, and all the research we have already carried out and will continue to do so, puts you at the very heart of all that we do. This is a farmer and crofter led programme. It is about reconnection, social interactions and giving you the tools you need to live well to farm and croft well."
Marc, who farms in Cambridge in the North Island of New Zealand, got involved in the initiative after spending years battling anxiety and depression. At times, he was so overwhelmed that he hated the farm and his life – he felt like walking out on both. Now he says: "Life for me is awesome and I love farming again."
