Initial Evaluation of the Rural Emotional Support Team (Rest)

Star rating: 4/5

Colin Reed. South Staffordshire CVS. Contact: 01785 255 305, E-mail: rest@ruralnet.org.uk

This independent evaluation looks at the organisation, operation and impact of Rest in Staffordshire -Êan innovative team tackling the often neglected area of mental health needs in farming communities.

Service users were very positive about the impact of Rest on their general outlook, what might have happened without Rest’s intervention (a GP is sure that at least one suicide has been prevented) and whether they would recommend the team to others. It concludes that Rest has become an indispensable service to the local agricultural community in a relatively short time.

Anybody wishing to tackle similar service needs could do well to read this.