Rabi extends family aid as cost-of-living crisis bites

A “back to school” grant launched by the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (Rabi) has been bolstered with an additional £500,000 of funding, as the cost-of-living crisis continues to hit farming families hard.

The grant, which now totals £1.5m, was rolled out in response to last year’s Big Farming Survey, which revealed that women between the ages of 25 and 45 are the demographic whose wellbeing is most at risk, particularly those trying to deal with the costs associated with their children and the return to school.

The grant, which Rabi said had attracted six times the expected level of uptake, forms part of the charity’s cost-of-living support, covering everything from uniform costs, to transport, school lunches and technology. 

Caron Whaley, director of services at Rabi, said: “With the current financial pressures affecting all of us, we know that farming people are having to make unacceptable choices, such as whether to buy heating oil or clothe their children for school.”

This issue is exacerbated by invisible barriers that stop many from reaching out for help.

“We are seeing a lot of people who don’t qualify for benefits, but they are only just above the threshold,” said Ms Whaley. “This means they are really struggling and fall into a grey area where they don’t qualify for help.”

Beneficiaries

The grants have provided a lifeline for numerous successful applicants.

One beneficiary said: “My husband works so hard and misses out on so much time with our kids – we are hardly making ends meet. And sometimes, even though this isn’t just a job, but a lifestyle and a passion, he feels like throwing in the towel.

“It’s a life we’ve only ever known. Just to know there are people on the other end of the phone that understand the pressures makes a huge difference.”

Word of mouth and social media have been instrumental in spreading awareness of the campaign and breaking down the stigma associated with asking for help.

More than 99% of the beneficiaries have been working farming families, said Rabi, with 89% having never received support from the charity before.

One grateful mother wrote: “Thank you so much, you have no idea how much this has helped me. I was already stressing about the cost of returning to school, especially as we have one starting high school and the cost of the uniform and equipment is so high.

“Like so many farmers, we never seem to be eligible for anything as far as the schools and children are concerned, not even school dinners.

“It’s really hard, but this grant has made things so much better for my children. I felt awkward and almost embarrassed calling and asking for help, but I’m so glad I did.”