These are worrying and difficult times for everyone. Even as lockdown measures are easing, this brings about new uncertainties and concerns for livelihoods and families. Alongside the pressures of being key workers, farming communities have been contending with additional demands such as schooling children at home, checking in on neighbours, and looking after family members.
The Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) is Scotland’s largest rural youth organisation providing a social network full of opportunities from competitions and events to training and travel. As a network it always strives for its members to feel comfortable in voicing their opinions. However, as Diana McGowan, Senior Communications and Publications Manager at
There is no doubt that the world as we knew it at the start of 2020 – remember hugs and handshakes? – is now upside down. The impact of this global pandemic has been massive on our economy and OECD recently reported that Britain’s economy is likely to suffer the worst damage from the COVID-19
For those of us who have been following every possible safety measure to avoid the invisible danger of COVID19 – washing our hands until our skin starts to crack, avoiding social contact with family and friends, risk assessing and redirecting our route as soon we see someone approaching – the thought that someone would see
With global events changing our everyday existence, there has been an urgent plea for thousands of British workers to help feed the nation. The industry is encouraging people to apply for paid positions on local farms across the UK to help pick and pack fruit and vegetables to cover the jobs usually carried out by
In a speech in Cape Town in June 1966, John F Kennedy said: There is a Chinese curse which says ‘May he live in interesting times ‘ Like it or not, we live in interesting times. They are times of danger and uncertainty; but they are also more open to the creative energy of men than any other time in history. So Day
Dear Teachers, Parents and Carers… With the decision to close all schools, we’ve been thinking about all the children and young people in rural areas who will be spending longer periods on their farm than normal and who may even be called upon to help if family, friends or neighbours are older, vulnerable or have
A MESSAGE FROM THE TEAM… Dear friends With the challenges we face as a result of schools, colleges and universities closing, please be assured that the Farm Safety Foundation (or Yellow Wellies as you may know us) is still here to help… One challenge we are particularly interested in is young people in rural areas spending
Promoting Farmer Mental Health – a Farm Advisory perspective In this blog, Dr John McNamara, Health and Safety Specialist Advisor for Teagasc – Agriculture and Food Development Authority, Ireland outlines the importance of promoting farmer health, managing stress and adopting prositive strategies to cope with the pressures of farming… “My role of a Specialist Advisor
The tide is turning on mental health. According to Clodagh Crowe of Rural Support; “It’s about time, we would say here in Northern Ireland, where we have the highest prevalence of mental illness in the UK and where last month hundreds of high-profile figures backed a campaign declaring a public health emergency on suicide.” Indeed,