Farmstrong Scotland making a difference

Module Overview

Launched just over a year ago, Farmstrong Scotland is making a difference in Scotland helping farmers to look after their wellbeing and normalise conversations about health and wellbeing.

Back in 2018, a group of Scottish farmers approached Farmstrong to help set up the programme in Scotland after hearing New Zealand farmer and author Doug Avery give a wellbeing talk in Scotland.

The rest is history and Farmstrong Scotland celebrated its first birthday at this year’s Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh.

Farmstrong Scotland programme director Alix Ritchie (pictured far right) says the programme is going very well and making a difference.

“When Doug Avery visited Scotland and talked about the challenges he’d had and the steps he takes to manage his wellbeing, that was the first time there had been a national conversation within the industry about mental wellbeing,” Alix says.

“A lot has changed since then in the wider community and mental health and wellbeing is definitely talked about more than it used to be, but there’s still a lot of stigma and a long way to go to normalise the conversation.”

She says the summer shows and events this year have given Farmstrong Scotland the opportunity to get out and speak to farmers.

“We’ve been welcomed by stakeholders to speak at and/or attend industry events which has allowed the team to raise awareness about Farmstrong in Scotland.”

Programme adapted for Scots

Farmstrong Scotland has created resources based on Farmstrong New Zealand’s, and its key messages are similar.

“Our key message is to encourage farmers to invest in their business’s number one asset – themselves – and The Five Ways to Wellbeing is being used to introduce the agricultural sector to practical steps they can take to improve their wellbeing.”

However, there is one point of difference between the two programmes:

“The main difference is that our programme is also for crofters. Crofting is a system of landholding which is unique to Scotland and is an integral part of life in the Highlands and Islands. More than 750,000ha of land in Scotland is crofting tenure, with approximately 33,000 people living in crofting households.”

Alix says that like other farmers across the world, Scottish farmers are continuing to face a number of challenges.

“It’s rained a lot since September 2023 and there’s been a lack of heat/sun this summer, to date. Other challenges include the ever-changing political landscape and uncertainty in the future of farming subsidies.

“Following Brexit, there have also been trade issues with things like seed potatoes – Scotland is famous for its quality seed potatoes – and a lack of availability of some well-used products such as vaccines and medications,” she says.

Alix adds it’s been great to have the support of the Farmstrong team in New Zealand.

“It’s allowed the programme in Scotland to put down some really strong foundations for what we hope will be a programme as successful as Farmstrong in New Zealand.”

Helping others rewarding

Farmstrong New Zealand project lead Gerard Vaughan (pictured centre) has been helping Farmstrong Scotland set up its programme and has recently returned from a visit there.

“Farmstrong Scotland is drawing on the same wellbeing science and the strategies and tactics we use in New Zealand. We’ve been happy to share what we’ve learnt and let them adapt the range of resources we’ve produced.

“The principles, vision, mission and key messages are the same as here, but they’re putting a ‘kilt’ on their programme, so it resonates with the farmer and crofter audience in Scotland.”

He says Farmstrong Scotland has done well to secure funding partners to cover the first three years of programme delivery.

“Having just completed their first year of programme delivery, they are still building awareness and engagement,” Gerard says.

“From the dozens of conversations I’ve had so far over there, there’s been a lot of positive support from individuals and organisations for Farmstrong Scotland.”

Gerard says it’s pleasing to see a successful home-grown programme exported overseas.

“It feels good that we’ve been able to help another country with an innovative programme that was started in New Zealand.

“It always feels good for another country to like what you’re doing and want to replicate it and, more importantly, to help more people better cope with ups and downs.”

For more information about Farmstrong Scotland, visit their website or Facebook page.