New RSIN Development Officer joins the fight against rural stress in the North

Helen Ovens, newly appointed Northern Development Officer for the Rural Stress Information Network (RSIN), is improving the services available for those in distress in rural areas in the North of England.

Helen joined RSIN at the end of January and will be covering the North East, the North West and the Yorkshire and Humber regions, from her base in Northallerton.

RSIN receives around 250 calls from rural and farming folk each week to its helpline at the Royal Agricultural Society of England's Arthur Rank Centre at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.

The charity acts as a signposting service for rural people, helping them to access financial advice for a failing rural business, counselling, or help applying for grant aid. Helen will be delivering support on the ground for people in distress.

Helen said, "I have lived in, and worked with people from, isolated rural areas for most of my life, giving me a good understanding of rural issues in the North of England. I hope to help organisations continue to improve their services for rural folk, whether that be putting individuals in touch with the right organisations to help through difficult times, or influencing rural policy across the three regions."

Prior to joining RSIN, Helen worked for the Rural Development Service

(Defra) as a contact point for rural support issues in Yorkshire and the Humber. She works closely with other support charities in the area, RABI, FCN and the county support coordinators, alongside RSIN northern women's development officer Kath Mason, based in Skipton. Before that Helen worked on upland farms across the UK, and studied agriculture.

Anyone living in a rural area who is experiencing distress can call the RSIN helpline 02476 412916.