Farmers and members of the rural community in Ballymena and Northern Ireland can benefit from support and help from the Rural Support Service. Farming can be a lonely and difficult occupation. Everything from the economy to the weather can have an impact on earnings and the farm is a workplace that demands much more than the usual nine to five. With this in mind we, at Ballymena Today, want to remind our readers about the Rural Support services which are tailored and run especially for farmers.
The Rural Support website says:
Increasing levels of debt, paper work, health problems, severe weather and changing family circumstances can cause stress and anxiety. We offer a listening and signposting service for farmers and rural families across Northern Ireland. We can provide face to face support, help you source information and advice about business finance and debt, single farm payments, benefits, mental health assistance and many other issues. If you’re feeling worried or stressed and would like to talk to someone in confidence, our trained volunteers are ready to help. All calls are confidential and the helpline operates from 8am to 11pm, seven days a week (voicemail and support options available at all other times).
We can support you by:
- Listening / Visiting / Accompanying / Helping you to find advice / Explaining
When you contact us we will:
- Listen / Not judge / Keep information confidential / Only do what you want us to do / Agree the next steps with you
0845 606 7 607
(The number is charged at local rate from BT landlines although other providers and mobile operators may charge more. We are happy to call you back if you are concerned about the cost of the call.)
Please share this message with others and hopefully help members of the farming community to get a helping hand and a listening ear. Ballymena Today thanks the hard work which is carried out by Rural Support in Ballymena and beyond.