You may or may not be surprised to know that farming is one of the most dangerous occupations in the UK. In fact, a new report has revealed that farming is the second most dangerous industry after construction: riskier than mining, rig work, fishing, forestry, security, and firefighting. Farming is an inherently dangerous job due to a number of risk factors like operating heavy equipment and working with animals – risks that few other sectors share. Food for thought indeed…
Not only this, but a survey by the Farm Safety Foundation revealed that 92% of farmers under 40 believe poor mental health is the biggest hidden problem they face, up from 82% in 2018. Food for thought, indeed…
So this year we have chosen to fundraise for a charity very close to our hearts. The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution – RABI – is an award-winning national charity based in Oxford which provides local support to the farming community across England and Wales. Established in 1860, they have been offering guidance, financial support and practical care to farming people of all ages for generations.
Confidential support is available to those who currently work within agriculture and also to those who are no longer able to work in the sector due to ill-health, accident or age. The charity’s online wellbeing platform offers free, anonymous, farmer-focussed resources to adults and young farming people. These are available 24/7 and in addition to farmer-focussed articles and discussion boards, users can access one-to-one counselling from BACP qualified counsellors.
All donations we take for participating in The Mad Hatter’s Spring Trail go directly to RABI, so please give generously and help us support this vital resource for our farming community.
