Are you one of Northern Ireland’s 280,000 volunteers?

Every year volunteers contribute over 3,500 hours of their time and expertise to help the rural and farming community in Northern Ireland. The Rural Support volunteers work across a number of different sectors including: outreach, emotional support, helpline cover, technical/practical support and especially financial, farm business support. They are continuously supported in their roles and receive regular internal and external training opportunities.

Hugh Ferguson volunteers his time as an outreach and promotion volunteer.  Hugh takes time to attend agricultural and community events across Northern Ireland to help raise awareness of Rural Support and the services it provides. 

Hugh commented, “I’ve been volunteering with Rural Support for over 8 years. During this time, I’ve attended events such as the Balmoral Show, Castlewellan Show, Omagh Show, Limavady Show and Fermanagh Show to tell people about the charity and services we provide and answer any questions which visitors to our stand may have regarding Rural Support. I thoroughly enjoy my role supporting the Rural Support team.  During my time with the charity, I have witnessed the service double. It’s great to know that I’m part of this and would encourage anyone to get involved. However, if your leaning is more towards emotional support, technical help or financial expertise, there are also volunteering roles for you at Rural Support.” 

Rural Support provides support for farmers and rural families through the helpline offering a listening and signposting service. It deals with a range of issues including emotional distress, suicide risk, physical and mental health, farming paperwork and bureaucracy.

Rural Support is working with its CSR partner wind energy company, Simple Power, on campaigns to raise awareness of the importance of health and wellbeing in rural communities and farm families.  Simple Power works in partnership with farmers across Northern Ireland and is committed to an on-going partnership with the local charity, providing financial support alongside awareness-raising and fundraising activities.

If you are interested in making a difference within the rural community, contact Clodagh Crowe, Volunteer Coordinator on 028 8676 0040, email [email protected] or visit www.ruralsupport.org.uk.