The old saying a trouble shared is a trouble halved is a real truism. Many people who work on the land are under stress these days. Staff shortages, long hours, costly, unclear new regulations plus recovering from a storm event or drought are taking a toll on many farming families. Sometimes people just need to chat to another person who understands the problems they are facing and who has been there too.
Carol Keoghan reports, at the recent Agfest in Greymouth a Christchurch company called ASP Machinery donated a calf shed and held a silent auction with funds received going to the Westcoast Rural Support Trust (RST) to help with the work they do supporting people on the land, she says we always appreciate the help people like ASP Machinery give. Working long hours is a trap, says Carol and when a person finds themselves bogged down for too long and losing their love of farming it’s a warning sign. Rural Support Trust personal are rural people with a wide range of experience and knowledge in dealing with challenging situations. Our facilitators are trained to help find options to manage all types of challenging issues.
The Rural Support Trust is also linked to agencies who can provide people who are feeling at the end of their tether with information and assistance. We are also free and confidential. If you are someone who needs a listening ear call 0800 787 254
