Health and wellbeing

The Scottish Government has started early engagement on the development of Scotland's fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4).

The National Planning Framework is a long term plan for development and investment across Scotland.

An upcoming Scottish Rural Action conference will kick start a 'rural movement' to make rural Scotland's voice heard.

Representatives from rural Scotland's communities, businesses and organisations are invited to attend the free event taking place from 26 to 27 February at New Lanark Visitor Centre, the renowned world heritage site.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon recently launched the Scottish Charity Awards 2020, encouraging organisations from across the country to apply. 

The annual awards are organised by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) and celebrate the fantastic work that charities and community groups do every day to help those in need and raise awareness of important causes. 

RSABI has launched its biggest awareness raising campaign.

The charity supports people working in Scottish agriculture, providing financial, practical and emotional support to individuals and families.

Services offered by RSABI range from helping people issues such as money worries and employment concerns, accident, illness and mental health. 

Early summer we reported on a new rural mental health project – Highlands & Islands Connections. This innovative project was started by the national mental health charity Support in Mind Scotland and work is currently underway in two pilot regions –the Western Isles and Argyll & Bute.

NFU Scotland's North East region are hosting its inaugural Mental Health Conference on 7 November in Inverurie.

The first ever National Islands Plan for Scotland has been laid before the Scottish Parliament for consideration.

The proposed National Islands Plan provides a framework for action in order to meaningfully improve outcomes for Scotland's island communities.

A group of farmers are working with SAC Consulting and a data company to develop distributed ledger, or blockchain, technology that will allow consumers to trace oats along the supply chain and be assured they are gluten free.

The Scottish Rural Awards are delighted to announce that the National Rural Mental Health Forum will be their charity partners for the 2020 awards.

With a focus on wellbeing in rural parts of Scotland, the charity is ideally placed to partner the awards which celebrate many aspects of rural life.

Jim Hume, Convener of the National Rural Mental Health Forum said: