First and foremost, the Southland Rural Support Trust is about rural people helping rural individuals and communities to cope during difficult times.
The Southland Rural Support Trust can help you by:
Being a contact
The Trust is directly linked into local Civil Defence and can provide you with information about what is happening, what the risks are, and assist you in getting emergency and ongoing help. A key role of the RST is to strengthen the network of rural landowners, managers, professional and other industry organisations to better support rural business, communities, and individuals during and following an adverse event.
Being a facilitator
The Trust's facilitators can assist in helping decide business options, provide mentors or colleagues from rural backgrounds to talk to, and act as facilitators for financial assistance, Work and Income support and labour assistance.
Being an ear to listen
The Trust's facilitators have rural experience. If you or someone you know is affected by an adverse event or is facing a personal challenge, the Trust can facilitate referral to professional counselling, financial advice and farm management expertise.