In a world overflowing with information, advice and messages, breaking through the noise and genuinely connecting with the audience is no small feat. The secret is not only reaching the right people but also understanding who they are, what they care about, and how they prefer to engage.
For this reason, this year, we are launching In Discussion With… a series of quarterly roundtables where we will gather key voices to discuss and debate and listen to what they believe should be done to improve safe working and encourage mental wellbeing in the industry.
The series was launched last week at East Scryne Farm, Carnoustie and gathered together some members of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) to learn about the challenges of loneliness and rural isolation in advance of this week’s campaign.
Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
During the discussions, the young farmers from the Angus area got a bit of a surprise when His Royal Highness, The Duke of Rothesay popped in to join the conversation…
During the visit, His Royal Highness joined five members of local young farmers clubs and SAYFC National Chair Ally Brunton at the roundtable hosted by Stephanie Berkeley, Manager of the charity.
When Stephanie asked His Royal Highness why he was interested in what they were doing, he said: “I love the countryside and I love farming as well. And I am conscious that it’s an area that needs maybe a little bit of support and understanding that there is access and support out there for young farmers.”
He added: “Because I think in the farming world it’s [mental health] maybe not talked about as much as in other sectors – and yet we know it exists.”
His Royal Highness then asked the young farmers about what they do to look after their wellbeing…
William Grant (22) past chair of Strathmore JAC and from a family mixed arable and beef farm beside Auchterhouse commented: “It’s a constant cycle of work work work, but then if there’s a Young Farmers meeting you might just go to that.”
Viki Johnston (25), who farms with her family on the Glamis Castle estate and also works on a farm near Forfar, added: “Hard work is kind of ingrained in you.”
Ally Brunton, National Chair SAYFC and member of East Fife JAC stressed the importance of time away from the farm: “otherwise you can burn yourself out.”
Alistair McCarthy (22) originally from Caithness but now splitting his time between home and a livestock farm near Glamis highlighted: “It’s easy to be your own critic, but you need to look for the light ahead.
Stephanie then asked the group what was it that makes farming vulnerable to loneliness…
Viki said: “It’s not necessarily long hours, other professions have that too, it’s the long hours on your own.”
Ally added: “Other professions you can clock off but in farming you never really switch off.”
When asked what they would do if they noticed someone was struggling or if they were struggling themselves, Lois Scott (26) a Primary School teacher and member of Forfar JAC commented: “You sometimes don’t realise you need help until you’ve had it. Sometimes it takes someone saying to you ‘are you okay’? We (SAYFC) have the ‘Are Ewe OK?’ campaign and Yellow Wellies can give you a lot of help.”
She also pointed out the value of staying in touch via social media: “Using social media you can chat to people. You’re able to see it’s not just you, and it’s a brilliant learning opportunity.”
Ally agreed: “There were quite a few days where it was horrendous weather, picking up dead lambs, I came back and a cow had lain on her calf, but then you look on social media and see Cammy Wilson [Sheep Game] has had the same issues and you feel less alone.”
Robbie Wills (25) chairman of Forfar JAC added: “Snapchat is great for staying in touch.”
The attendees were then asked the one thing they were going to do to improve their wellbeing or that of those around them…
Alistair: “Be more proactive in going to every event or taking every opportunity to mis with people and not try and put things off as you have other things to do.”
Lois: “I personally hate it if someone asks me if I’m ok, and that puts me off asking other people. But at the same time you do appreciate that people are checking in with you so I think I need to be more open to asking people how they are feeling.”
William: “Not keeping things to yourself. A problem shared is a problem halved.”
Viki: “I’m pretty good at making plans but then if I’m asked to work, I just cancel. I need to learn to say no, I’ve made plans.”
Ally: “One thing I am horrendous for is trying to do everything myself, I never ask for help. I probably should better at that, it would take a bit of stress away at times.”
The roundtable took place at a strawberry farm run by James and Kate Porter. His Royal Highness took a tour of the farm where he saw some of the polytunnels damaged by the recent Storm Eowyn. Extreme weather events are something James pointed out can add more stress to farming life but he added this is farming’s all about – starting again, staying optimistic and constantly learning.
As Ally put it:
“If we weren’t all optimistic about the future in agriculture, we wouldn’t have a career in the industry.”
