Agenda item

(To receive a presentation from Vanessa Strange, Head of Infrastructure Investment, the Lincolnshire Rural Support Network)

The Committee considered a report from Vanessa Strange, Head of Infrastructure Investment, which provided an introduction relating to the Lincolnshire Rural Support Network (LRSN) and the support given to LRSN from the Council in 2019, due to the work of the Committee.

The Chairman invited Amy Thomas, Head of the Charity Lincolnshire Rural Support Network, to remotely present this item to the Committee.  The presentation referred to:

·       Who the LRSN were.  It was noted that the LRSN had been established in 1999 as a resource for the County’s rural communities and businesses.  It was noted further that the LRSN was now a well-established, medium sized, regional, volunteer led charity that provided help, support, and advice to members of Lincolnshire’s farming and rural communities in time of crisis, stress and change;

·       The role of LRSN.  The Committee was advised that LRSN had 20 years’ experience of offering services and support to the rural community across Lincolnshire; and that feedback from service users consistently indicated the services offered were valued.  As well as professional nursing and healthcare staff, LRSN had access to a significant number of committed volunteers with knowledge and experience across a full range of issues affecting the mental health of people in rural communities.  The core work included: casework, one-to-one work with individuals; a helpline which was manned between 8.00am to 8.00pm, with an emergency out of hours contact number; Health screening operating alongside drop-in advice points (Louth Market and Spalding Auction) and through ‘click, book, chat’ digital clinics overseen by a volunteer medical director and delivered by Registered Nurses;

·       It was reported that the presenting issues which the LRSN supported varied from anxiety through to alcoholism, depression and self-harm, debt, financial and other farm business, and personal issues.  It was highlighted that year-on-year the LRSN had seen an increase in the number of families and individuals needing support.  The Committee was advised that for the year ending 31 March 2021, 193 families had been supported, which was a 21% increase on the previous financial year.  It was highlighted that 60% of new cases were mental health related.  It was highlighted further that for the current financial year as of September 2021, the team had already supported 122 families and undertaken 83 health checks.  It was felt that as winter approached, and as a result of other pressures within the industry, that services would be called upon more than ever before;

·       The Committee was advised that during the pandemic, LRSN had been able to respond quickly and adeptly to working in a virtual environment, with the introduction of an online health and wellbeing clinic ‘Click, Book, Chat’ service and extending helpline hours.  The LRSN had embraced technology by hold its AGM virtually, introduced shared blogs, and shared team videos.  It was noted that fundraising through the pandemic and in a virtual environment had been challenging. However, the charity had been very fortunate that supporters, individuals, corporate partners, and volunteers had continued to fundraise for the LRSN, despite the pandemic.  The LRSN had also introduced the May Marathon, which had helped raise their profile with a range of audiences; and

·       For the future, LRSN was planning to refresh its long-term plan and strategic goals, extending services both geographically and into new sectors whilst continuing to provide the best support to Lincolnshire’s agricultural and rural communities as they faced an uncertain and challenging future.  Some projects being developed were:-  Delivery of the Future Farming Resilience Fund as part of the PCF Farm for the Future Project; the introduction of a mobile health screening unit which allowed the delivery of outreach and health screening across the County; and the development of a Legacy Campaign in order to further widen the charity’s already diverse funding base.

During consideration of the presentation, the Committee raised the following points:

·       Thanks were extended to LRSN for way they supported rural communities;

·       Some concern was expressed to the rising number of mental health issues.  The Committee was reminded that the Scrutiny Panel B – Agricultural Sector Support Review would be looking at this matter;

·       A request was made for Scrutiny Panel B to conduct interviews with farmers and others in the rural community to get their views and experiences;

·       From personal experience, and the rise in the number of number of families requiring help, one member urged the Council to support the work of the LRSN.

The Chairman on behalf of the Committee extended his thanks to the LRSN team for all the support provided to the rural communities across Lincolnshire.

RESOLVED

1.      That the report and presentation relating to the work of the Lincolnshire Rural Support Network be received and that future opportunities to support the sector be considered.

2.      That comments raised by the Committee be shared with Scrutiny Panel B, who will be undertaking a Review of Support to the Agricultural Sector in Lincolnshire.