Scots rural charity RSABI has opened a new helpline.
The charity, which provides financial assistance to those who have relied on the land, says the new helpline will provide a single point of inquiry for those in need.
The helpline – 0300 111 4166 – will be open every day of the year from 7am to 11pm thanks to help from another rural charity – the Farm Community Network.
RSABI says the helpline will be able to handle everything from questions about the benefits system and sources of help on farming issues, to delivering support on personal matters including money troubles and emotional distress.
The charity’s chief executive Nina Clancy said: “RSABI’s new, single helpline 0300 111 4166 is for anyone, whatever their age or circumstances, who has worked on Scotland’s land and needs a helping hand. Just ask, we do more than you think.
“Every year, we work with hundreds of people with backgrounds in farming, working or retired, as well as their dependants, who have questions about what they might be entitled to or find they are struggling to cope for some reason.
“We deal with a much wider range of problems than you might think, including the benefits system, mental health issues, business and financial trouble. If we cannot help directly, we will know someone who can.
“Scotland’s rural community is rightly proud of its immensely successful record of hard work in tough circumstances, and the fear about losing pride can discourage many of those whom we could help from getting in touch. All our calls our confidential and people often tell us how relieved they are to get things off their chest and to find that there is a solution.”
Earlier this year the charity recruited rugby star Alex Dunbar as its first official ambassador.
Mr Dunbar, who plays for Glasgow Warriors and the Scottish international squad, is originally from a farming family near Lockerbie. He was recruited to try and get more people to sign up to RSABI’s supporters scheme, which enables people to contribute to the charity on an annual basis.
Membership of the scheme is available in three tiers – individual supporters must pay a minimum of £25 a year, business supporters a minimum of £150 a year and corporate supporters a minimum of £500 a year.
For more information call 0131 472 4166.