RABI brought its Empowering the Worth and Wellbeing of Farming People initiative to the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show this week, inviting key stakeholders to discuss the issues affecting Welsh farmers’ wellbeing and call for collaborative solutions. Hosted by AMC and chaired by ITV Cymru’s Hannah Thomas, the event comes as part of RABI’s year-long series of activities that will culminate in the inaugural RABI Farming People’s Summit in March 2025.
At the Reception, RABI shed light on the significant impact its support has on farming people and how, through wider cooperation, an even greater impact can be achieved. Paul Pirie, RABI’s Head of Fundraising, emphasised that improving the health and resilience of the farming community must be a joint effort.
“The ‘Empowering the Worth and Wellbeing’ initiative is a starting place to bring people together. And together, we can make a greater impact. There’s no monopoly on need, and not one of us have got the solution. But collectively, we can come and find those solutions,” Paul Pirie said.
Attendees, including Senedd members, Westminster politicians, opinion formers, influencers, RABI partner organizations and other sector allies, also heard from a panel considering the current state of wellbeing of farmers in Wales. Panellists included Ian Rickman, President of the Farming Union of Wales, James Evans MS, Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, Sarah Lewis, President of the Young Farmers Club and Jonathan Wilkinson, Dairy Board Chair at NFU Cymru. The panel discussed the physical and mental challenges facing farmers and the crucial importance of breaking down barriers around accessing support.
Sarah Lewis welcomed RABI’s initiative, stating, “We all have a duty of care to our young people and everybody within our rural communities to look out for each and every one of us.”
Speaking on the necessity of having open and honest conversations about mental and physical wellbeing across rural communities, Ian Rickman noted “Training for those staff [in contact with farmers] is vital so that they can see the signs as they speak directly to farmers out there, and then be able to help that farmer or direct them towards help.”
RABI invites everyone to consider partnering with them in this initiative, whether through making personal pledges to support local farmers’ markets, or political pledges to advocate for farmers’ wellbeing in the Senedd or Westminster.
