The charity you've probably never heard of.
If you’ve never heard of the Rural Support Trust I wouldn’t be surprised. It’s a non-profit organization that provides support to farmers and rural communities across New Zealand. Established in 2000, the Trust operates on a regional basis, with 14 trusts covering different areas of the country. The Trust's primary goal is to provide emotional and practical support to farmers and their families during times of stress or crisis.
Late last year I was privileged enough to help Rababank New Zealand with some promotional photographs of the Surfing For Farmers program. The program offers local farmers the opportunity to learn to surf .. it my opinion an excellent way to take you mind of your business and stresses of the day! It struck me that the amazing work the Trust did in conjunction with Rabobank, and several other sponsors was critical to helping farmers get valuable time away from farm. I know only too well about how hard it can be to run a business and how easily you can get lost in it.
One of the key services provided by the Rural Support Trust is the Farm Business Resilience Program. This program is designed to help farmers improve their business management skills and build resilience in the face of challenges such as droughts, floods, and other natural disasters. The program includes workshops, one-on-one coaching, and access to online resources.
In addition to the Farm Business Resilience Program, the Rural Support Trust provides a range of other services, including:
Emotional support: The Trust has a team of trained volunteers who can provide emotional support to farmers and their families. This can include counseling services or just a friendly ear to listen.
Advocacy: The Trust can help farmers navigate government support systems and advocate on their behalf to ensure they receive the assistance they need.
Education: The Trust provides a range of educational resources and workshops to help farmers improve their skills and knowledge in areas such as financial management, succession planning, and mental health.
I was inspired to spend some time with the team and create some stories about what they do and help raise awareness of this vital work. The plan was a simple one. Create a branding story about the Trust and it’s goals. They had little to no video marketing material so this project was going to be beneficial to them, creating tools for their website, social media platforms, and pitching material for potential donors.
After a few interviews and generous donations of content from Rabobank and Ninmo Productions the videos have hit the mark and I hope, made an impact for them.
If you can I encourage you to connect with the Rural Support Trust and help out however you can.