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Farming Today: Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution's festive work

Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution's festive work

27/12/2017

BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution's festive work

Lucy Taylor finds out about the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution's festive work.

Lucy Taylor joins the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution on a festive hamper delivery and finds out about isolation and loneliness in the rural community.

It's a season for celebration: across the country, families and friends are gathering to mark Christmas and the New Year with food, music and laughter.
But for many in rural communities, it's not such a carefree time of year. In Britain's farming communities, issues such as isolation, financial pressures and depression are becoming increasingly common.
The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) is a national charity that offers emotional, practical and financial support to disadvantaged members of the farming community. This is their busiest time of year.
Lucy Taylor joins farmer and RABI volunteer John Smith and the charity's Welfare Officer for the South West, Chloe Rigler, as they deliver a festive hamper to retired farm worker Mr Penny; and speaks to Professor Matt Lobley, Director of the Centre for Rural Research at the University of Exeter, about the particular problems facing people who live and work in agriculture.

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