What are the biggest challenges facing rural people in your region right now – on-farm or off-farm?

Farming life has complex challenges many of which are out of the farmers control such as weather events, rising costs and price uncertainties, regulations, technology, isolation just to name a few.

Within our area farmers in the past 12 months have had to deal with drought and floods.

As with any adverse event, one positive outcome of tough times is how the communities rallied together and reached out to Rural Support Trust (RST) when they needed to, and they attended RST and industry partner events.

What does support look like in practice for your branch?

North Canterbury Rural Support Trust is a charitable organisation set up to work with individuals and rural communities in times of need.

The Trust consists of around thirty volunteer facilitators, area representatives. All understand the unique nature of rural living and farming and the issues that affect this.

No issue is too big or too small and making the call earlier rather than later is recommended.

North Canterbury Rural Support Trust can be contacted on 0800 787 254.

The Trust has an informative social media and website where you can see social events/news that assist in bringing farming communities together on a regular basis. One on one, the Trust offers a free, confidential, and independent service.

A trained facilitator will listen; help plan a way forward and connect with appropriate supportive professional agencies.

Along with the generosity of supportive sponsorship from local businesses and the generosity of private donors we can hold community related events throughout the year.

We also actively speak to community leaders or groups directly about what the main points of concern are within their areas.

Can you share a recent moment or story that captures the spirit of your team’s work?

We recently held “Harvesting Health” event with four guest speakers which was very well attended by our rural community.

People stayed on afterwards chatting and comments were “This was a great opportunity to get off farm, listen to good speakers, have a good feed and chat”.

Jack Cocks provided the farmers with an incredibly inspiring story.

What upcoming events, workshops or initiatives are you planning or involved in?

We are planning two Brunch on Us events in August in Darfield and on Banks Peninsula, along with an annual golf tournament in Hawarden on July 3rd, "Cockies Classic".

We often have a presence at events that are planned by primary industries partners.

What message do you most want to get across to people in your region who may be finding it tough but haven’t reached out yet?

Very simply, please call or email us.

Farming can be a hugely rewarding, however it can be tough and often stresses cannot be prevented or controlled.

Call 0800 787 254 for a free, confidential chat.

By Stuart Wright, North Canterbury Rural Support Trust chairperson