Agricultural charity appoints new Highlands and Islands case officer after more than 600 apply for the role
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A SCOTTISH agricultural charity has named a new representative for the Highlands after almost 650 people applied for the role.
The Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RSABI) has announced the appointment of Shirley Hastings as its new case officer for the Highlands and Islands.
The charity, which provides financial, practical, and emotional support to those involved in Scottish agriculture, received a remarkable 649 applications for the position, developed in response to growing demand for the charity’s services.
Ms Hastings said: “I am delighted to be joining RSABI and looking forward to playing my part in the team which is carrying out incredibly important work for the agricultural community and providing essential support to farmers, crofters and others working in the industry."
“I have been brought up on a farm myself and having worked with communities in rural areas throughout my career, I am passionate about the success of the agriculture industry and I’m looking forward to assisting RSABI and their vital welfare initiatives.”
The new case officer will play a key role in RSABI’s welfare team, delivering a wide range of services and also serving as a member of the team responding to calls to the charity’s 24-hour freephone helpline (0808 1234 555).
She will also engage with local organisations and stakeholders to increase awareness of the support RSABI offers, while staying closely connected to the issues people in agriculture are facing in the region.
Ms Hastings joins RSABI with a decade of experience working for Police Scotland, including five years serving as a front-line Detective Constable within the Public Protection Unit and overseeing Fort William’s first Public Protection Unit.
Her experience of a wide range of welfare issues will be valuable for her role, along with hShe also comes from a farming background, having grown up on a family farm in Dumfries and Galloway.
Chris McVey, welfare manager at RSABI, said: “During recent months calls to our helpline have increased substantially, with the vast majority of our workload involving emotional support and demand for the counselling services we offer continuing to increase, having trebled in the past year.
“It is essential, therefore, that we have the staff in place to meet demand and we are delighted to extend a very warm welcome to Shirley who brings an excellent range of skills and experience to our hardworking welfare team.”
More infromation is available on RSABI’s website at www.rsabi.org.uk.
