05 September 2025 – RABI is warning that inaccuracies in reports and commentaries this week regarding its recent restructuring are causing unnecessary concern to vulnerable farming people.

Alicia Chivers, Chief Executive of RABI, noted:

“We are being contacted by farming families who, after reading recent media coverage and online commentary, are worried that RABI is no longer here for them. That is simply not true, and I want to reassure everyone that all our support and services remain fully available across England and Wales.”

Claims being circulated, including suggestions that regional support has been withdrawn and ten roles have been lost are simply incorrect. While a small number of the volunteering team have left RABI, the cornerstone of RABI’s local support, Regional Support Managers (RSMs), remain in place and unaffected.

“These dedicated colleagues provide one-to-one practical, financial and emotional support,” Alicia added. “They are the people who sit with farming families around kitchen tables, arrange counselling, secure unclaimed benefits, and help farming people through some of their toughest challenges. Their work is the heart of what RABI does and continues unchanged.

We recognise that the loss of the volunteering managers is likely to feel challenging for those who have worked closely with them and hold strong emotional ties. We are immensely grateful to these colleagues for their work and for the ongoing support of RABI’s volunteers. Everyone has the right to express their opinions, however inaccurate or emotive claims made in the media and online that risk discouraging people from being confident to seek help when they need it most, absolutely cannot be allowed to happen.

We are sorry that misinformation has caused distress to some of the people we support, and while we are sure that was not the intention of those sharing their views, we ask people to be mindful of the impact this has on the wider farming community.”

The restructure is designed to strengthen and grow RABI’s support, not reduce it. The charity emphasises that its goal is to expand opportunities for volunteering, build a more consistent presence in rural communities, and increase fundraising capacity so it can serve more farming families in the years ahead.

New measures include:

  • More support for committees with clearer roles, consistent processes, and better access to resources.
  • New opportunities to get involved, such as Community Ambassadors, Show Volunteers and Community Fundraisers.
  • A stronger local presence at shows, events and meetings across England and Wales.
  • Growth and investment, including plans to triple community fundraising income by 2030 and expand the volunteer base to over 1,000.

Alicia added:

“RABI has been supporting farming people for 165 years and that commitment is unwavering. Change is never easy, but these decisions have been taken to ensure we can reach more people, more effectively, and provide the right support at the right time. My message to every farmer, farm worker and farming family is this: if you need RABI, we are here for you.”