New Partnership Role Will Focus on Young Farmers Wellbeing
RSABI and the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) are delighted to announce the appointment of Joanne Hiddleston to the new position of Wellbeing and RESPECT Coordinator, a first-of-its-kind partnership role created to strengthen support for young people across Scotland’s agricultural community.
Joanne’s new position will see her work closely with both charities to focus on supporting the wellbeing of SAYFC members through initiatives including the RESPECT and #AreEweOkay campaigns throughout the young farmers network in Scotland.
Joanne brings a strong blend of personal, professional and voluntary experience to the role. From a family farm in Dumfriesshire, she has a degree in Mental Health Nursing, specialising in child and adolescent care, and has been an active member of her local young farmers club for more than 12 years. Joanne has also served as a Trainee Trustee with RSABI, gaining valuable insight into the operation and governance of a charity.
In her new role Joanne will work with clubs, districts, national office bearers and partners to inspire, support and equip SAYFC members and around 70 RESPECT Ambassadors in clubs throughout the country to promote positive messages around mental health awareness, suicide prevention, alcohol and drug awareness, kindness, inclusivity and respect.
Joanne is looking forward to working alongside the SAYFC Development and Wellbeing Committee, led by Emma Gray (Committee Chair) and Kayleigh Turner (Committee Vice-chair).
The appointment marks an important step in the close collaboration between RSABI and SAYFC, bringing together RSABI’s experience of providing emotional, practical and financial support to people in Scottish agriculture with SAYFC’s national network of around 3,500 young people.
Carol McLaren, Chief Executive of RSABI, said: “We are delighted to welcome Joanne into this very special new role, which is a fantastic example of partnership working between two charities committed to supporting the future of Scottish agriculture.
Joanne’s background in mental health nursing, her farming roots and her long involvement with young farmers make her ideally placed to help champion wellbeing, kindness and inclusivity across the SAYFC membership.”
Penny Montgomerie, Chief Executive of SAYFC, said:“SAYFC is proud to be working with RSABI on this partnership first. Our members are at the heart of rural communities, and this role will help support them to have the awareness, confidence and tools to look after themselves and each other. We look forward to seeing the positive impact Joanne will make, working closely with our Development and Wellbeing committee and other key partners and stakeholders.”
The RESPECT campaign promotes healthy relationships, kindness and inclusivity through positive role modelling, education, training and awareness-raising. The #AreEweOkay? and #KeepTalking campaigns encourage people across Scottish agriculture to stay connected, look out for one another and seek help when life feels difficult.
In the coming months, Joanne will work closely with SAYFC members and partners to hear about their priorities and to develop training and awareness activity across Scotland, supporting clubs to strengthen a culture of respect, wellbeing and inclusion for young people in rural communities.
RSABI offers free practical, financial, and emotional support including counselling services, delivered quickly after receiving the initial enquiry. Its free confidential support service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, by calling 0808 1234 555 (calls won’t show up on phone bills) or through a confidential webchat service, available on RSABI’s website www.rsabi.org.uk.
