Page 42 - Oundle Life April 2025

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RURAL HEALTH
A positive difference
After launching last September on World
Suicide Prevention Day, The Rural
Communities Mental Health Foundation
is here to help everyone living in rural and
agricultural communities have better mental
health.
Here is their story so far…
Turning an idea that’s lived in your head for
a while into reality is always daunting – will
people buy into it? Is there space for you? Is it
even viable?
These were some of the questions that went
through the minds of co-founders, Kate Scott
and Lewis Hunter before launching the charity
last year. But having both lost their brothers
to suicide before they were 30, they had an
inner conviction that the services and support
their charity would offer to local rural and
agricultural communities was both needed and
would succeed.
From farming families, at Oundle and
Tilbrook respectively, they’ve used their
backgrounds and personal experiences of loss
to shape and drive the first six months, with
highlights including:
Hearing people’s stories
Hosting their first fully funded two-
day Mental Health First Aid training
courses, kindly hosted at the East of
England Agricultural Society
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Their fundraising Harvest Ball and
Tractor Run
Being the fortunate beneficiary of
personal and corporate donations, plus
one from The Michael Guest Charitable
Foundation
Connecting with people working in the
mental health and suicide prevention
space
Awareness and speaking opportunities
at industry events thanks to Indigro,
a local agronomy firm, and Land
Family Business, rural tax advisors and
accountants
Reaching the finals of the Smiley Charity
Film Awards
“Such an invaluable course. Everyone should do
it. Susie and Rachael were so knowledgeable and
approachable. They made it much easier to talk
about these very emotive topics.”
Delegate, Mental Health First Aid Training
course, February 2025
They’re funding training opportunities to
educate people on what mental health is and
what poor mental health can look like. With
three different types of courses currently on
offer, the foundation wants to help people be
confident and feel empowered to know what to
do and say if someone admits they’re struggling
or having suicidal thoughts. And to know that
saying something is 100% better than saying
nothing at all.
If more people feel comfortable talking, they
can also help normalise the conversation around
mental health and suicide, remove the outdated
stigma that surrounds them, and hopefully help
stop people reaching crisis point.
Looking ahead, they will continue delivering
their training courses, are making plans
for social events, and will be recruiting for
volunteers to help their small but passionate
team deliver their plans and ambitions.
To discover more visit rcmhfoundation.org
or email kate.scott@rcmhfoundation
if there’s a way you would like to get involved.
You can also follow them on Instagram and
Facebook – @rcmhfoundation
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