Life Beyond
Our Life Beyond Programme provides support for farming families across Northern Ireland who has experienced loss through farm accident, suicide, unexpected or expected death. We understand the implications this has not only for the family but also for the farm business and so our support is tailored according to each individual family’s needs. That’s why our services not only provide emotional support but also support in relation to farm business management and finance.
In partnership with Embrace FARM (ROI), the Life Beyond Programme was officially launched on Thursday 26th August at the Eikon Centre by Minister Poots and Minister Swann. To view a full recording of the event please click here
Life Beyond provides a unique combination of support, specifically tailored to what each family needs, with an all-in approach that incorporates various aspects of the farming family and the farming enterprise that has been affected by the loss. It will provide farm business, financial and technical mentoring support, alongside emotional health, and bereavement counselling including trauma support where needed.
It will also provide one to one support for those and their families who have been given a terminal diagnosis to assist them in planning and to help give them space and time to spend with their loved ones.
This support will operate alongside peer-to-peer group activities tailored for specific groups: for example: widows/widowers, parents, siblings, family members, farm accident survivors and their families, and there is also access to digital resources online through the Northern Ireland Farm Support Hub.
All support is free of charge and will be provided over a 12-month period and beyond if needed, with the aim of helping families to navigate their experiences and move forward in their new normal – whatever that is for each family and farm business.
If you would like to make a donation directly towards this programme please click here.
If you or someone you know would benefit from the Life beyond Programme or from speaking to a Rural Support team member, please ring the support line which is confidential and is available 9am-9pm, Monday to Friday (voicemail and options available at all other times). The freephone number is 0800 138 1678.
In partnership with:
