DUMFRIES SHOW hosted a celebration of three successful rural living projects now being carried out in the region.

The Health and Wellbeing in the Farming Community Project; the Retired Farming Group and The Dumfries and Galloway Dairy Women’s Network featured on the NFU Scotland stand at at the show, where D and G regional manager, Teresa Dougall, explained: “Dumfries Show draws together members of the farming sector as well as politicians and stakeholders and we wanted to showcase some of the great work that is taking place across the region.”

Health and Wellbeing in the Farming Community Project Officer,Claire Thirlwall commented: “Through talking and listening to the farming community, we now have a deeper understanding of the issues affecting their health and wellbeing. A working group including representatives from both health services and the farming community are now working on a range of actions to address the key priorities including mental health and wellbeing, isolation and loneliness, health and safety and men’s health awareness.

“We are delighted the project has been awarded £14,800 from the Dumfries and Galloway European Union – LEADER 2014-2020 programme and look forward to continuing to work with the community to address the issues identified.”

Speaking on behalf of the Retired Farming Group, Jill Rennie added: “The Retired Farming Social Group has been meeting monthly since forming in November 2017. We now have a membership of 26 people from different areas of Dumfries and Galloway and enquiries from others elsewhere, including across Scotland and England. We are delighted to announce the formation of a new group in Carrutherstown which will meet for the first time on August 15 in the Kinmount Hotel at 1.30pm,” concluded Ms Rennie.

Tracey Roan, of Roan’s Dairy and the Dumfries and Galloway Dairy Women’s Network said: “It is hard to believe that the network has already been up and running for a full year. Through working with the group and identifying their needs, we have successfully organised monthly events and we look forward to organising many more,” she continued. “The interest in the network has been fantastic and we thank everyone for their continued support.”