Cookstown event celebrates lives lost in the farming community

Life Beyond Steering Group with Minister for Health, Robin Swann. Pic:MCAULEY_MULTIMEDIA

Rural Support recently hosted the second annual Life Beyond Celebration in the Glenavon Hotel, Cookstown.

The Life Beyond Programme, delivered by Rural Support in partnership with Embrace FARM, provides a unique combination of bereavement support, specifically tailored to the needs of the farm family.

The aim of the programme is to improve the mental, social, and physical wellbeing of farm families who have experienced loss, as well as provide support with the farming enterprise. Services are all provided at no cost to the farming family.

The Life Beyond Celebration Event brought together people from across the agri food sector who have lost a loved one, recently or in the past, to come together and celebrate the lives of those who are no longer with them.

Rural Support Board Chair – Gemma Daly, Rural Support CEO, Veronica Morris, Minister for Health, Robin Swann, Rural Support Head of Farm Support, Gillian Reid. Pic: MCAULEY_MULTIMEDIA

Through the gathering Rural Support provided a way to support those who are navigating their way through grief and provided the opportunity for attendees to interact with others who have experienced loss, to reflect and reminisce, and to honour the contributions made to the lives, land and agricultural community by loved ones who have passed away.

Those who attended were able to participate in the Remembering and Honouring our Loved Ones section through The Tree of Life Ceremony and Moments of Reflection and Reminiscence.

Veronica Morris CEO comments, “Through this event and the Life Beyond programme Rural Support help farming families understand that it is not only about dealing with the shock, sadness and sometimes trauma that comes from losing a loved one.

It can mean trying to deal with practical issues relating to the farm business in the middle of unbearable grief. They have a team of staff, counsellors and mentors with a range of expertise, who are always on hand to help and support.”

If you would like to find out more about the range of services and programmes available at Rural Support, go to the NI Farm Support hub at www.ruralsupport.org.uk or telephone the Support Line on Freephone 0800 138 1678 available Mon-Fri 9am-9pm.

Rural Support was established in 2002 and provides a range of services for farmers and farming families across Northern Ireland including a support line. It also provides face to face support through its mentoring programme, help with sourcing information and advice about a wide range of issues.