One year on from the launch of three local projects that NFU Scotland has been the key partner, a reception was hosted at Dumfries Show on Saturday to celebrate their success and announce their next steps.
The Health and Wellbeing in the Farming Community Project, as part of the DG Health and Wellbeing, Directorate of Public Health, which hopes to reach more people in the local community and raise the profile further of the project’s key messages, launched its new leaflet on the NFU Scotland stand at the show on Saturday. In addition to this, the Retired Farming Group, set up last year to bring people together, announced the formation of a new group, which will host its first meeting at Carrutherstown on Wednesday 15 August. The Dumfries and Galloway Dairy Women’s Network celebrated its first successful 12 months, encouraging more people to get involved.
Teresa Dougall, NFU Scotland’s Dumfries and Galloway Regional Manager, commented on the packed agenda at the show: “We were delighted to host the reception at Dumfries Agricultural Show to celebrate three local projects which continue to grow and benefit the rural community. We look forward to continuing our work with all groups and to share in their success.
“The Dumfries Show draws together members of the farming sector as well as politicians and stakeholders and we wanted to showcase some of the great work that is taking place across the region.”
Claire Thirlwall, Health and Wellbeing in the Farming Community Project Officer, said: “Through talking and listening to the farming community, we now have a deeper understanding of the issues affecting their health and wellbeing.
“A working group including representatives from both health services and the farming community are now working on a range of actions to address the key priorities including mental health and wellbeing, isolation and loneliness, health and safety and men’s health awareness.
“We are delighted the project has been awarded £14,800 from the Dumfries and Galloway European Union – LEADER 2014-2020 programme and look forward to continuing to work with the community to address the issues identified.”Jill Rennie, of the Retired Farming Group said: “The Retired Farming Social Group has been meeting monthly since forming in November 2017. There has been ongoing interest in the group which is continuing to grow. We now have a membership of 26 people from different areas of Dumfries and Galloway and enquiries from others elsewhere, including across Scotland and England.
“We are delighted to announce the formation of a new group in Carrutherstown which will meet for the first time on 15 August in the Kinmount Hotel at 1.30pm.”
Tracey Roan, of Roan’s Dairy and the Dumfries and Galloway Dairy Women’s Network said: “It is hard to believe that the network has already been up and running for a full year. Through working with the group and identifying their needs, we have successfully organised monthly events and we look forward to organising many more. The interest in the network has been fantastic and we thank everyone for their continued support.”
