Welcome to the latest online newsletter for RABI volunteers.
In this edition we have segments on Volunteers’ Week, recruitment of show volunteers, the exploits of the cycling farmer and the forager, our patron and RABI conference 2024. Enjoy!
If you have any feedback or stories you’d like to share with us, please get in touch at volunteering@rabi.org.uk.
Thank you for your support.
Thank you to all our volunteers
It’s Volunteers’ week and we’d like to say a massive thank you to all those who support RABI – whether you are part of a committee, supporting shows and events or in roles such as our Trustees. With your support, RABI is able to engage with and make a real difference to farming communities across England and Wales.
It’s also a great opportunity to encourage more people to get involved in roles such as summer events volunteers – a new flexible role, giving people a taste for volunteering with RABI over the summer.
If you know anyone interested in volunteering, please do encourage them to visit the get involved section of our website.
Summer shows in full swing
It’s great to see images of RABI staff and volunteers at shows this summer. Rain or shine, agricultural shows provide a great opportunity to raise awareness of what we do and have conversations with those in farming.
RABI President HRH the Duke of Gloucester meets with RABI staff and volunteers at Suffolk Show.
Ag shows are a key part of the farming calendar and RABI will be at as many as possible, whether that’s our own stand, being part of another (such as NFU) or through networking on the go.
All committees have access to relevant kit and materials to help with our profile at shows. We have also recently sent out requests for further branded clothing orders, including items such aprons and hi-vis jackets. Please do speak to your Regional Manager if you have any questions.
Mental Health Training Pledges
Ag shows also provide a great opportunity to talk about our mental health training. Recently, it’s been fantastic to see people such as Mark Spencer MP, NFU President Tom Bradshaw and broadcaster Charlotte Smith all pledge to attend our training to become more equipped to notice and support issues when they arise. We are also training staff from organisations such as the Environment Agency.
If you haven’t done already, we would encourage all volunteers to attend the training. The basic level is just half a day and can be done online. For more information, please contact volunteering@rabi.org.uk.
The Cycling Farmer and the Forager
Someone who will be at more than one show is our cycling hero Nick Bragg. Nick farms in Somerset and is also the chair of RABI Somerset Committee. Having previously cycled across Canada in support of RABI, Nick is currently undertaking an epic challenge of 1000 miles in 10 days – from Northumberland show in May to Royal Cornwall show in June. The challenge is being sponsored by Krone machinery and the team have set a goal of raising £10,000.
You can find more on the challenge here, including links to Nicks donation page – Farmer and Forager – Frogmary Green Farm.
A massive congratulations to Nick plus a big thank you to any of you who were able to join him on the route. A real team effort!
Patron confirmation
You will all be pleased to know that we have received confirmation that King Charles III has accepted patronage of RABI. We are extremely grateful to His Majesty for his patronage and to His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester who will remain as RABI’s President.
Read more about the patronage here: King Charles III Accepts RABI Patronage.
Now that this has been confirmed please can we ask that committees dispose of any letterheads that refer to Her Late Majesty the Queen. If you require any new electronic or hard copy letterheads please let us know – email volunteering@rabi.org.uk
And finally – Xmas cards, conference and other dates for the diary
- RABI Conference and AGM is on Wednesday 9 October at Mythe Barn. Up to three people per committee can attend the conference. The AGM is members only – in most cases this will be the chair.
- Christmas cards. We’re now taking committee orders for 2024. Please send your order form to volunteering@rabi.org.uk/
- The Volunteer Voice group are meeting again on Wednesday 31 July. This is a small group who come together online once a month to discuss improvements to our approach to volunteering, including things like the new volunteer’s handbook. If you’re interested in joining the group please contact volunteering@rabi.org.uk/
- The next volunteer chairs call is Wednesday 19 June at 7pm. Happy for another committee member to attend if your chair can’t make this.
If you have any questions or comments on any of the above please get in touch volunteering@rabi.org.uk.
Welcome to the latest online newsletter for RABI volunteers.
In this edition we have segments on Volunteers’ Week, recruitment of show volunteers, the exploits of the cycling farmer and the forager, our patron and RABI conference 2024. Enjoy!
If you have any feedback or stories you’d like to share with us, please get in touch at volunteering@rabi.org.uk.
Thank you for your support.
Thank you to all our volunteers
It’s Volunteers’ week and we’d like to say a massive thank you to all those who support RABI – whether you are part of a committee, supporting shows and events or in roles such as our Trustees. With your support, RABI is able to engage with and make a real difference to farming communities across England and Wales.
It’s also a great opportunity to encourage more people to get involved in roles such as summer events volunteers – a new flexible role, giving people a taste for volunteering with RABI over the summer.
If you know anyone interested in volunteering, please do encourage them to visit the get involved section of our website.
Summer shows in full swing
It’s great to see images of RABI staff and volunteers at shows this summer. Rain or shine, agricultural shows provide a great opportunity to raise awareness of what we do and have conversations with those in farming.
RABI President HRH the Duke of Gloucester meets with RABI staff and volunteers at Suffolk Show.
Ag shows are a key part of the farming calendar and RABI will be at as many as possible, whether that’s our own stand, being part of another (such as NFU) or through networking on the go.
All committees have access to relevant kit and materials to help with our profile at shows. We have also recently sent out requests for further branded clothing orders, including items such aprons and hi-vis jackets. Please do speak to your Regional Manager if you have any questions.
Mental Health Training Pledges
Ag shows also provide a great opportunity to talk about our mental health training. Recently, it’s been fantastic to see people such as Mark Spencer MP, NFU President Tom Bradshaw and broadcaster Charlotte Smith all pledge to attend our training to become more equipped to notice and support issues when they arise. We are also training staff from organisations such as the Environment Agency.
If you haven’t done already, we would encourage all volunteers to attend the training. The basic level is just half a day and can be done online. For more information, please contact volunteering@rabi.org.uk.
The Cycling Farmer and the Forager
Someone who will be at more than one show is our cycling hero Nick Bragg. Nick farms in Somerset and is also the chair of RABI Somerset Committee. Having previously cycled across Canada in support of RABI, Nick is currently undertaking an epic challenge of 1000 miles in 10 days – from Northumberland show in May to Royal Cornwall show in June. The challenge is being sponsored by Krone machinery and the team have set a goal of raising £10,000.
You can find more on the challenge here, including links to Nicks donation page – Farmer and Forager – Frogmary Green Farm.
A massive congratulations to Nick plus a big thank you to any of you who were able to join him on the route. A real team effort!
Patron confirmation
You will all be pleased to know that we have received confirmation that King Charles III has accepted patronage of RABI. We are extremely grateful to His Majesty for his patronage and to His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester who will remain as RABI’s President.
Read more about the patronage here: King Charles III Accepts RABI Patronage.
Now that this has been confirmed please can we ask that committees dispose of any letterheads that refer to Her Late Majesty the Queen. If you require any new electronic or hard copy letterheads please let us know – email volunteering@rabi.org.uk
And finally – Xmas cards, conference and other dates for the diary
- RABI Conference and AGM is on Wednesday 9 October at Mythe Barn. Up to three people per committee can attend the conference. The AGM is members only – in most cases this will be the chair.
- Christmas cards. We’re now taking committee orders for 2024. Please send your order form to volunteering@rabi.org.uk/
- The Volunteer Voice group are meeting again on Wednesday 31 July. This is a small group who come together online once a month to discuss improvements to our approach to volunteering, including things like the new volunteer’s handbook. If you’re interested in joining the group please contact volunteering@rabi.org.uk/
- The next volunteer chairs call is Wednesday 19 June at 7pm. Happy for another committee member to attend if your chair can’t make this.
If you have any questions or comments on any of the above please get in touch volunteering@rabi.org.uk.
