www.rsabi.org.uk news 1 AUTUMN 2011 Scotland’s charity helping people wneho have dependedws on the land Sold out in Dumfries! Adam Henson tries his hand at auctioneering while Robin Anderson looks on. (see page 6) Photograph courtesy of Gordon Rae. RSABI was incorporated to continue with the work of the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution which was founded in 1897. 2 news Autumn 2011 In a changing world… e are frequently asked by those who have not Wheard of RSABI why the charity is needed at all, given the decline in the number of people working on farms today. The response is to explain that the majority of the people we support are retired, typically on low fixed incomes and are among those who worked in the land-based industries in years gone by. There is therefore something of a time-warp between the industry today and those we help, but it is undeniable, looking ahead, that the charity faces a declining number of people who Photograph courtesy of Curtis Welsh. will fit into its current remit and care and advice we provide. We a policy objective of helping the criteria. have also added to the charity’s elderly to pursue independent lives The immediate challenge is to services the “GATEPOST” listening in their own homes for as long as connect with those who need help and support service, providing a possible, its actions have effectively and support at the moment. When different form of support to those removed all grant assistance for expressed as a proportion of the active in the industry today. essential repair work, and it has population now of retirement age The profile of those coming to failed to deliver on its promise of and who worked in the land-based the charity for help is however a scheme to access alternative industries in the past, we have a changing, and applications are funding for such people. similar number of beneficiaries much more diverse and more It is not RSABI’s role to sustain the in each of the major regions of complex to handle and respond capital value of people’s homes, Scotland, except for Dumfries and to than in the past. We have seen especially for the benefit of the Galloway where the ratio is doubled. an increase in applications from next generation, but there is a If this difference exists because working farmers…but we cannot need to address the hardship faced RSABI is just better known in that help with business expenses; an by current residents in cold and region, then there may be several increase in requests for essential damp homes, especially if all other hundred potential beneficiaries equipment previously available avenues of help are closed to them. across other areas of Scotland from NHS budgets, and although How should the charity do this? with whom we have not yet made fewer referrals from Care and Repair These are only a few of the issues meaningful contact, if indeed at all. agencies for “last-brick” funding to be addressed by a working Over the past few years we for essential home repairs, we now group of Trustees and staff have significantly improved our receive requests for very substantial currently tasked with a strategic knowledge of RSABI’s beneficiaries, funding for the entirety of such review of the welfare activities of how we use that information work. the charity …who should we help, and how, within our existing The predicament of elderly in what circumstances, in what framework, we can target help home-owners on low fixed way and to what extent? When towards those most in need. The incomes and needing to undertake so much around us is changing, independent survey of beneficiaries essential home repairs is a very it is neither right nor possible to demonstrated satisfaction with the major concern to RSABI. Whilst continue doing the same things, in holistic package of financial support, the Scottish Government pursues the same way… www.rsabi.org.uk news 3 AGM Report he 7th Annual General Penny Laird and Ewan Pate. Penny Meeting of RSABI took had been co-opted to the Board in Tplace on 16th November January 2011 and featured in the as part of the AgriScot farm Spring edition of RSABI News. business event. We are grateful A long-standing supporter of to the event’s Management RSABI, and well known as the Committee for the facilities farming editor of The Courier it provides each year for the Ewan was co-opted to the Board meeting and for affording in August this year to strengthen RSABI stand space in the main its media skills. He currently exhibition hall. farms 650 acres as a long term RSABI’s rules require one-third tenant at South Powrie just of Trustees to retire by rotation at to the north of Dundee the AGM, and this year it was the in partnership with his turn of Lady Mary Scott, Andrew wife Anne and his son Arbuckle and Chairman, Balfour Thomas, who is now Thomson to step down. The the fourth generation meeting drew to a close formal Pate on the mainly involvement by Mary and Andrew; arable farm. Over the each have helped the charity’s years he has been work and direction over many interested in the politics of farming years, and they were warmly and has been both Soft Fruit thanked for their contributions. Committee chairman and Cereals Balfour Thomson was re-elected, Committee vice chairman at NFU Payments and joined, as elected Trustees, by Scotland. Increase It was announced at the AGM that payments to Recycle your Winter Annual Beneficiaries this November had been increased to help with the Fuel Allowance! rising cost of living. Single erhaps the most Government assistance, in the Beneficiaries received an significant challenge form of Winter Fuel Allowances, uplift of £25, and Joint and Pfaced by RSABI’s has failed to address rising fuel Partnered Beneficiaries an beneficiaries is the difficulty costs, perpetuating the hardship of additional £10 each. of keeping themselves warm, those who fear the next bill arriving particularly in the depths of and choose to leave their heating winter. Old housing stock, switched off. Yet the Winter Fuel that we can pass it on to someone in exposed rural locations, Allowance is paid to everyone for whom it really would make a with fuel choices limited and over 60, regardless of need or difference to their living conditions. significant delivery costs for circumstances. We promise that every donation others all combine to make If you receive Winter Fuel received will go straight out this staying warm a major expense Allowance, but do not really need winter to someone from the land- even before considering the it to keep yourselves warm, please based sector, in need needs of the elderly and infirm. consider donating it to RSABI so of a warmer home. 4 news Autumn 2011 Beacons for The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee n Monday 4th June next and supporters will take part by year, it is hoped that organising their own events and O2,012 Beacons will be lit perhaps combining a Beacon with throughout the United Kingdom activities to raise funds for the to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee charity. of Her Majesty The Queen, only Please note that events do not the second Monarch in British have to be large scale or open to history to celebrate 60 years on the public to take part, indeed the throne. many are expected to comprise RSABI is delighted to be associated private parties or simple family with activities to mark this very gatherings. A special book listing special occasion, especially as The all the Beacon sites will be given Queen has throughout this time to The Queen after the event, and been the Honorary Patron of this organisers are keen that everyone charity. registers their Beacon so that they diamondjubileebeacons.co.uk and Alongside formal events being can be included. indicate whether you are using this organised by Lords Lieutenant, A “Guide to Taking Part”, can event to raise money for RSABI, or Local Authorities and others, it is be downloaded from www.rsabi. taking part in support of the charity. possible for individuals, groups org.uk, and includes information If you would like assistance to and communities to organise on construction of bonfires, organise an event to raise funds for celebrations of their own to mark safety issues and how to register. RSABI, please contact 0131 472 4166 this special occasion. RSABI very Please do complete the Beacon or one of the charity’s Development much hopes that its members Registration Form online at www. Officers. Can we help each other? round Scotland we If you are involved with a trust for those involved, please know there are a great which seeks to help similar groups consider whether the aims of Amany family- and local- of individuals to RSABI, please do the trust might be more easily charitable trusts with aims very get in touch with us so that we can and effectively achieved through similar to those of the RSABI… better acquaint each other with partnership with RSABI and its addressing hardship among what we may each be able to offer. team of experienced staff and members of communities defined No one’s confidentiality needs to trustees. Your fund could be by occupation, background or be breached and it can only help ring-fenced within RSABI such geographical area. Many of those in need if by contacting one that it continues to benefit these we believe experience party, they can also be directed people within your area.