RABI hosted an Autumn Reception in Parliament on Tuesday 19 November to introduce the new intake of rural MPs to the charity and highlight the vital support it offers the farming communities they represent.
The event allowed RABI to share its insights on the challenges currently impacting farming people, helping to facilitate important conversations. It marked a significant step towards ensuring the needs of the farming community are recognised and driving meaningful change.
Speaking at the reception, Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner MP said, “Farmers face numerous challenges, which is why the work RABI does is so important”. RABI was pleased that the Minister agreed to undertake our mental health training, which is designed to help build resilience within the farming community and normalise conversations around wellbeing.
Columnist Lucy Nott then delivered a powerful speech, reflecting on her experience of the pressures – and joys – that farming families face today.
“Farming life is tough at the moment”, Lucy said, explaining how bad and unpredictable weather, long hours, record inflation and increased production costs all take a toll.
“However, amidst the chaos of harvest, there are special moments of calm – when the weather is fair, kids are grubby from mucking around all day and we grab a precious moment together eating a picnic at the side of a field. It’s in those moments that we are reminded why we do what we do”.
During the evening, RABI provided an update on its Return to School Grant programme, an initiative that is making a positive difference in the lives of thousands of farming families. As part of this, the charity screened its short film ‘More Than Just a Grant’, demonstrating how the programme offers support that extends beyond financial assistance. The event also included the launch of the Return to School Impact Report, which outlines the value of the grant in full.
Attendees also had the opportunity to view the winning photographs from the ‘Farmers Through the Seasons’ exhibition, which resulted from a collaborative competition between RABI, RSABI and Farmers Weekly to celebrate the publication’s 90th anniversary. It was a pleasure to see a handful of the winners at the event and hear about the stories behind their images. The photographs are featured in a 2025 calendar, available to purchase here, with proceeds benefiting both RABI and RSABI.
RABI looks forward to continuing its work with the Government and key bodies in 2025, with plans for a roundtable and other engagement events to drive improvements in support and services for the farming community.
