Rural Health Week 2008

Rural Health Week | Press Releases | Messages of Support | Events

Messages of Support

If you would like to send a message of support for Rural Health Week, please e-mail it to info@irh.ac.uk.

Professor David Bellamy, botanist, ecologist, author and broadcaster, says:

"Rural health is the foundation of a healthy nation. Please, please support all this week stands for. Write to your MPs and remind them of its importance. One thing you all can do is shop at your local farmers market."

Dr William Bird, Strategic Health Advisor Natural England, Chair Outdoor Health Forum says:

"I would like to wholeheartedly support the Rural Health Week. The Natural Environment is the Natural Health Service that offers the largest resource to keep people physically active and to reduce stress.

"Stress is a far bigger problem than previously envisaged and the natural environment is the most effective way to reduce stress in our lives. However there is a lot that needs to be done to encourage more people to get out and improve their health and wellbeing. We need to be able to promote the environment to those who rarely venture out and offer many more opportunities for people to enjoy being outdoors. Rural Health Week is therefore promoting the largest health department outside the NHS."

Dr Stuart Burgess, chairman of the Commission for Rural Communities and the Government's Rural Advocate, said:

"I am especially pleased to have the opportunity to say a few words about Rural Health Week in a year that has seen the 60th anniversary of the National Health Service and Government's wide-ranging review of NHS.

"Rural Health Week will not only highlight the crucial role that the precious asset of our countryside and natural heritage plays in improving the nation's health, but also provide a timely and important opportunity to raise the profile of rural healthcare. My good wishes go to everyone involved for a successful and fulfilling Rural Health Week."

The Rt. Hon. Lord Clark of Windermere, Chairman of the Forestry Commission, says:

"The nation is full of anxiety at the moment. The daily news has been full of worrying topics such as banking crises, failing businesses, rising food and fuel prices and fuel security. Millions are worried about the security of their jobs, homes, mortgages, savings and pensions.

"Rural people are no less prone to these anxieties than city folk and health professionals tell us that too much stress and anxiety trigger depression and make us more prone to bugs.

"Exercise and relaxation are well known for helping us to deal with stress and ward off illness, which is why many city people regularly work out at expensive gyms.

"However, rural people have a vast, free gym on their doorstep. It's called 'the great outdoors', and relaxing and exercising in peaceful, green places has been shown to be particularly beneficial.

"The Forestry Commission is proud to look after much of this asset in the form of our national forests. They're full of places where anyone can go for a health-boosting, stress-busting walk, run or bike ride or other activity - or just to 'chill out' in a green and peaceful environment.

"But we don't stop at simply providing the means for people to get some exercise. We're also working with health professionals and organisations across Great Britain to pro-actively reach out to people.

"We've established 'green gyms' and 'health walks' to which local GPs can refer patients. We've formed partnerships with NHS trusts, local authorities and health and community groups, and made grants to partner organisations, to develop health facilities and programmes in our forests.

"Many schemes operate in rural areas and they offer companionship and a re-connection to the natural world that can provide a life-changing boost to mental as well as physical health.

"I therefore wish Rural Health Week every success and encourage anyone interested in working with us to promote the health and well-being of rural people to get in touch with our National Offices in Edinburgh, Cambridge and Aberystwyth to explore ways in which we can work together. Contact details are available on our website at www.forestry.gov.uk/contacts"

Best wishes for a successful Rural Health Week from Karen Ellis at Rural Stress Helpline.

Rural Stress Helpline is a confidential listening service for anyone in a rural area who may be feeling anxious, stressed, troubled or needing information. People in rural areas can often feel isolated in their situation and in their community and talking to someone, in confidence, can help. Rural Stress Helpline co-operates with other rural support groups and, where appropriate, introduces callers to organisations that provide sustained practical and emotional support. This can be from a local source if it meets the caller's needs.

The Helpline telephone number is 0845 094 8286 and operates Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00pm. Rural Stress Helpline is a project of The Arthur Rank Centre, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.

CLA Director General Adrian Gane says:

"The Country Land & Business Association thoroughly recommends Rural Health Week. What better way to get yourself into shape while admiring the glories of Britain's' spectacular and varied countryside!"

Edwina Hart, Minister for Health and Social Services in Wales, says:

"It gives me great pleasure to support Rural Health Week as our rural health steering group, established this year, has made significant developments in rural health research. The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to developing a comprehensive Rural Health Plan and ensuring that the future health needs of rural communities are met in ways which reflect the particular conditions and characteristics of rural Wales."

John Lloyd Jones, chairman of the Countryside Council for Wales, says:

"Once again this year it gives me great pleasure to support all who are involved with Rural Health Week. Even in this most miserable of summers, nothing can beat the exhilaration and sense of well-being than walking in all weathers in our wonderful Welsh countryside."

Peter Kendall, NFU President, says:

"Many farmers take better care of their animals than themselves and are often too busy to take time out to visit the doctor. Although farmers make a vital contribution to the nation's health through the food that they produce, they are rather inclined to forget their own. In fact, some farmers need to change their diets, because they look for quick, easy meals due to the job pressures.

"I welcome the fact that this initiative will once again raise the profile of rural health issues and hope it will produce innovative ideas for tackling the very real health problems that exist in rural communities."

Peter Kendall, NFU President, says:

"Many farmers take better care of their animals than themselves and are often too busy to take time out to visit the doctor. Although farmers make a vital contribution to the nation's health through the food that they produce, they are rather inclined to forget their own. In fact, some farmers need to change their diets, because they look for quick, easy meals due to the job pressures.

"I welcome the fact that this initiative will once again raise the profile of rural health issues and hope it will produce innovative ideas for tackling the very real health problems that exist in rural communities."

"The Country Land & Business Association thoroughly recommends Rural Health Week. What better way to get yourself into shape while admiring the glories of Britain's' spectacular and varied countryside!"

Weather girl and television presenter Sian Lloyd says:

"I live in one of the most beautiful parts of the UK and I always look forward to coming home to the welcoming green hills of Mid Wales after working in London. It literally is a breath of fresh air.

"There is no doubt in my mind that the countryside has a positive impact on health and wellbeing. During Rural Health Week, I encourage everyone to get out and enjoy the countryside and at the same time improve their health through physical exercise.

"The autumn is also a good time to buy fresh local food from farmers markets, which will support local producers.

"I send my very best wishes to the Institute of Rural Health for a successful Rural Health Week. It's the one week in the year when people and organisations across the UK can join together to highlight the many challenges of providing rural health and care services.

"Just because people happen to live in a rural area should not mean that they suffer an inferior health service to those living in towns and cities."

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, Head of BMA Science and Ethics, says:

"Rural health needs are often ignored so it is very good to have a week dedicated to raising awareness about this issue. A one size fits all approach to health does not work and what may suit people living in cities and urban areas may not be easily replicated in rural areas. It is therefore important that specific health programmes are devised for rural communities. Any health programme must include transport as this is one of the major problems in accessing healthcare in rural areas.

"I am very pleased that this year's Rural Health Week is focussing on physical exercise and diet. Childhood obesity is soaring in the UK and this is extremely worrying - obesity can lead to a number of long-term health problems like diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. People who live in the countryside have the advantage of natural resources on their doorsteps and they should be encouraged to get moving to be fit, healthy and have fun."

Shaun Spiers, Chief Executive of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, says:

"This year’s Rural Health Week theme poses the question '‘Could we be making better use of the natural resources on our doorsteps to benefit our health and wellbeing?’'

"People are much more likely to seek spiritual refreshment and healthy exercise if their experience of the environment around them is a high quality one, beautiful, tranquil, diverse and uninhibited by poor quality or intrusive development. The countryside, whether as a holiday destination or as a local amenity, needs protection and good management to make sure this is so.

"In Rural Health Week, CPRE calls on Government, local authorities and voluntary organisations to recognise that high quality countryside and green space leads to a high quality of life and that the health of the landscape determines the health of the people."

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing in Scotland Nicola Sturgeon said:

"Rural Health Week is a valuable opportunity to raise awareness of the particular health opportunities and challenges for people living in rural communities.

"I congratulate the Institute of Rural Health for highlighting the links between health and the environment. Here in Scotland, for example, our rural areas are home to some of the world's finest, freshest food, which can help us all enjoy a healthier and more balanced diet.

"The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring sustainable health services in remote and rural areas, and all of us who have an interest in this have the responsibility to work together in the best interest of our rural communities."

FUW President Gareth Vaughan says:

"I welcome Rural Health Week's aim of highlighting the links between health and the environment. Countryside leisure pursuits, including walking, are becoming increasingly popular amongst the general public and there is a growing demand for greater accessibility to the countryside.

"The FUW is keen to make sure that everyone knows how important it is to follow the Countryside Code and to take care of our rural areas.

Read messages of support for Rural Health Week 2006 and 2007

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