As the clocks change Richard Rankin, CEO of H&H Group looks at what can be done to support the wider farming community during what could be a difficult winter facing further restrictions due to Covid-19.
WITH a surge in mental health problems, due in part to anxiety surrounding Covid-19 pandemic, Richard Rankin, CEO of H&H Group, based in Carlisle, says mutual support is a going to be a key factor in getting through the next six months.
Checking in with communities and being there for one another is vital, particularly for rural industries like farming where the isolation of the job is well-known, says Richard.
He adds while Harrison & Hetherington have revolutionised livestock auctioneering with its online sales, it means engaging face-to-face with others in farming at weekly marts has become very difficult.
"For farmers who spend most of their time alone out in the fields, the marts are somewhere they can discuss the trade, the weather, the crops, and catch up with each other as friends. Being removed from this environment and unable to discuss the ups and downs of farming and life with those who understand will undoubtedly put pressure on people’s mental health.”
“That’s why during this winter, it will be vital to take advantage of the fact that it has never been easier to engage digitally with others. It’s up to the less senior members of our communities to provide help to the older farming generation to get online and stay connected with friends, family and fellow farmers.
"This will go a long way to fight isolation. We all have mental health, just as we all have physical health, so we should be making the relative state of everyone’s mental health a much more normal topic of conversation. Everyone deserves to feel safe and supported when talking about mental health, so connecting online will be a much-needed forum for those feeling mentally fatigued while helping to make stigma a thing of the past.
“Here are some things we can do to help others, which could change someone’s day, week, or even their life: Check in with local elderly neighbours, bake them a cake and knock on the door or tap the window to check people living alone are okay."
Plate an extra dinner plate if you know someone isn’t cooking for themselves. If you see a farmer in their field, stop to see how their day is, comment on the weather or ask how their daily work is going. Make one call each day to a family member, neighbour or friend you haven’t spoken to for a while.Take your spare books up to the bus shelter or phone box for exchange - pop a notice in the village notice board to spread the message. Offer to walk an elderly person’s dog, especially as the weather gets worse, and stay for a chat on the doorstep when you return. Offer to buy some bits from the shop for anyone you know is shielding or vulnerable. Offer to tidy someone’s garden.Take someone’s bin back in.”
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