RABI chief executive, Alicia Chivers hosted the Rt Hon Dr Thérèse Coffey MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on
the RABI stand at the Royal Cornwall Show last Thursday (8 June 2023).

In addition to providing an update on the increasingly proactive approach adopted by the charity in the expansion and delivery of services to farming people, Alicia reiterated the importance of
continuing to develop a constructive dialogue between the charity and parliamentarians.

"RABI has a unique and valuable role to play, ensuring that the impacts of future policy decisions on farming people are central in the minds of
policymakers over the coming months and years", said Alicia.

"We are privileged to work with farming communities across England and Wales, and believe that, when coupled with powerful insights gained from
our research, such as RABI's recent _Big Farming Survey_, we can help politicians and legislators develop policies with a greater awareness of
what they will mean for farming people's lives", she continued.

The Secretary of State heard about the rapid progression of RABI's new mental health services, including online and in-person counselling and
professional mental health training. "Whilst our _Big Farming Survey_found that 36% of the farming community are probably or possibly
depressed and 47% are experiencing some form of anxiety, we were still surprised that demand for our in-person counselling grew at over 12
times our forecast last year", Alicia advised.

"Farming people's wellbeing can often be overlooked, which our experience tells us can lead to a downward spiral for farmers and their
families. Collectively we need to consider what we can all do to better look after our farming communities. Easy access to mental health support
is one of our key aspects to begin developing preventative programmes of support", she concluded.

RABI made the case to the Secretary of State to continue dialogue with the charity following the recent EFRA Committee _Rural Mental Health
Report,_ which cited RABI's _Big Farming Survey_ when evidencing the unacceptable levels of poor mental wellbeing of the farming community.

The Secretary of State was also introduced to RABI regional support manager Lindsay Derbyshire and heard firsthand how the charity's work in
the Southwest is making tangible differences to the farming community.
Local Auctioneer and RABI volunteer, Edward Buckland was also introduced.