Joanne Hiddleston brings experience in mental health nursing alongside more than 12 years in the young farmers movement
A new Scotland-wide wellbeing role has been launched to support thousands of young farmers with mental health, suicide prevention and wider welfare issues.
RSABI and the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) have appointed Joanne Hiddleston as Wellbeing and RESPECT Coordinator, creating a new partnership role between the two organisations.
The position will support SAYFC’s network of around 3,500 young people, as well as approximately 70 RESPECT Ambassadors based in clubs across Scotland.
Hiddleston will work with clubs, districts, national office bearers and partner organisations to promote awareness around mental health, suicide prevention, alcohol and drug issues, kindness, inclusivity and respect.
Her work will also support the RESPECT and #AreEweOkay campaigns throughout the young farmers network.
Hiddleston brings both agricultural and mental health experience to the post. She comes from a family farm in Dumfriesshire and has a degree in Mental Health Nursing, specialising in child and adolescent care.
She has also been an active member of her local young farmers club for more than 12 years and previously served as a Trainee Trustee with RSABI.
As part of the new role, Hiddleston will work alongside SAYFC’s Development and Wellbeing Committee, led by chair Emma Gray and vice-chair Kayleigh Turner.
She will spend the coming months speaking with members and partners about their priorities before developing training and awareness activity across Scotland.
The aim is to give clubs and individual members greater confidence and practical tools to support their own wellbeing and that of others in rural communities.
The appointment builds on an existing partnership between RSABI and SAYFC.
RSABI provides emotional, practical and financial support to people working in Scottish agriculture, while SAYFC represents young people through its national network of clubs.
Carol McLaren, chief executive of RSABI, said: “We are delighted to welcome Joanne into this very special new role, which is a fantastic example of partnership working between two charities committed to supporting the future of Scottish agriculture.”
She added: “Joanne’s background in mental health nursing, her farming roots and her long involvement with young farmers make her ideally placed to help champion wellbeing, kindness and inclusivity across the SAYFC membership.”
Penny Montgomerie, chief executive of SAYFC, said: “Our members are at the heart of rural communities, and this role will help support them to have the awareness, confidence and tools to look after themselves and each other.”
The RESPECT campaign promotes healthy relationships, kindness and inclusivity through education, training, awareness and positive role modelling.
Meanwhile, the #AreEweOkay? and #KeepTalking campaigns encourage people across Scottish agriculture to stay connected, look out for one another and seek support when life becomes difficult.
Hiddleston’s initial work will focus on listening to SAYFC members and partners before rolling out further training and awareness activity, with the longer-term aim of strengthening wellbeing, inclusion and respect across Scotland’s young farmer network.