Funds to fight rural stress (From Western Telegraph)

Funds to fight rural stress

PembroKeshire Rural Outreach (PRO) has been allocated funds from WCVA's Rural Stress Grant Scheme to continue its project highlighting rural stress.

The project, co-ordinated by Mrs Joan Evans, has been busy over the last 12 months addressing meetings with organisations all over Pembrokeshire highlighting stress issues in farming.

Joan has addressed meetings with organisations such as church groups, town councils, Rural Deans, Royal Mail, groups of sixth form pupils, ladies groups, YFC and FUW. She plans to address many more groups including schools this autumn. Said Joan: "There is a significant lack of awareness of rural stress, which shows there is still a great deal of work to be done."

l Joan is available this autumn and winter to any farming, rural or community groups to make informal talks and presentations with the aid of a video called 'Help at Hand' produced by the Rural Stress Information Network. She can offer information, help and appropriate sign-posting to those in need - whether emotional or business-based.

For more information, contact Mrs Evans at Pembrokeshire Rural Outreach, FUW Offices, 3 North Street, Haverfordwest, SA61 2JE; telephone 01437 711119 or e-mail: joan.evans@virgin.net.