RURAL SUPPORT has launched a series of courses both online and in person in Northern Ireland aimed at offering support for poultry farmers’ mental health.
With the stresses of Brexit, price inflation, climate change and avian influenza, it has never been more important to work on “mental fitness”, Rural Support’s head of farm support Gillian Reid said.
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“Challenges like disease outbreaks can have an impact on anyone’s mental health,” she explained.
“We believe that to be able to handle challenges like this, a high level of mental fitness is essential and with the Avian Flu outbreak affecting so many farmers, farming families and indeed many sector workers for this prolonged period, it was evident that action to support those involved was needed.”
It has launched a series of both in-person and online workshops it hopes will help farmers with:
- Working towards a positive work-life balance.
- Identifying the pressures that are within our control and those that are not.
- Remaining connected with others.
- Being active and eating well.
- Looking out for each other.
The workshops will also detail what support is available for producers and their families.
Dates and locations of upcoming workshops are:
• Thursday 24th February 2022 – 7:30 pm – Online
• Tuesday 1st March 2022 – 7:30 pm – Omagh – Silverbirch Hotel Wednesday
• 2nd March 2022 – 7:30 pm – Glarryford – Farmers Hall
• Thursday 3rd March 2022 – 7:30 pm – Portadown, – Seagoe Hotel
• Thursday 10th March 2022 – 7:30 pm – Online
• Wednesday 16th March – 7:30 pm – Cookstown – The Royal Hotel
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, spaces are limited, so to register, contact Rural Support’s Farm Support Unit on 0800 138 1678 or email farmsupport@ruralsupport.org.uk.
Places can also be booked via CAFRE’s website https://www.cafre.ac.uk/business-courses/coping-with-the-pressures-of-farming/
Any groups that would like to avail of this free workshop, contact Rural Support.
To learn more about Rural Support’s other programmes and workshops, visit the NI Farm Support Hub at www.ruralsupport.org.uk or Freephone 0800 138 1678 (Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm)
