Editorial “
How are you?”
How many
times each day or week do we ask this question and do
people really give a true answer? Perhaps this depends upon the tone of voice of the questioner; more likely it is whether we stop to listen to the answer, rather than walking on by.
Health is of course not just about being physically well, but includes our mental and spiritual health. People experiencing mental health problems can so easily be hidden in the countryside. They may be reluctant to seek help, especially if it is difficult to retain anonymity. Essential treatment and support services can be many miles away and the risk of isolation is very high. Whether you live in a city, town or village, your health and the health of your family and friends is of paramount importance. Health is of course, a major contributor to a sense of well-being.
The dictionary defines wellbeing as the state of being comfortable, healthy or happy.
In this context
comfortable might be more economic in nature, to have all that you need materially to live. Being happy indicates that wellbeing goes greatly beyond physical health and mere possessions but includes that deepest and most important part of us: our spirituality.
Spiritual well-
being needs to be nurtured. Effective churches make a well understood contribution to the wellbeing of those who practice their religion. It can so easily be neglected and yet plays such a significant part in sustaining us through difficult times.
Regular
times of quiet to be with God, prayer, meditation and Bible reading all help to maintain this most important part of who we are.
However the rural idyll so beautifully illustrated on the front cover of this edition, hides much suffering and pain in many communities. The
Drop In Health Clinic
Nestled within the Derbyshire Dales, the town of Bakewell is buzzing with life every Monday – with the ever growing and popular livestock market taking centre stage. Up to 3,000 sheep, 400 cattle and 100 calves pass through the market most weeks. The close proximity to the town centre, with its own range of market stallholders, lends itself to a major tourist attraction. On top of this you will drink the finest cup of coffee in town at the Methodist Church!
I asked a farmer the other day if he was at the market to buy or sell his stock. He replied, “Nay lad, I’ve come to get a new leg!” I knew what he meant – he had an appointment with the resident
physiotherapist. In fact, if you visit this market, you will observe a range of rural health services available to farmers. This includes, for example, the opportunity to have blood pressure and diabetes checks, seasonal flu jabs and foot care by the podiatrist. There are other services as well – there is an up to date Information Centre which incorporates the services of the Citizens Advice Bureau. The Agricultural Chaplain circulates around providing an opportunity for farmers to chat and discuss any concerns.
As well as the weekly on going provision, “specials” are held from time to time, when a wider group of providers participate, such as Health MOT Day.
Yes, increasingly farmers are finding how useful these services are to them – even though they are receiving help in what was formerly the old vet room! You might say that this is a good example of “joined up thinking” My reply would be: “Nay lad, this is an excellent example of joined up healthcare – in practice!”
Graham Hinds, Agricultural Chaplain, West Derbyshire
www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk 3
attractive landscape, maintained for generations by farmers and land- owners, is what visitors want to see, but behind this are real people with real problems.
Even gaining access to
basic services like dentists and GPs can be difficult in some areas.
The countryside can also be a place for restoration, rehabilitation and recovery for rural residents and visitors alike. So stopping to listen to the answer when we ask “how are you?” may be an opportunity provided by God to enrich more than one life, but we need to stop long enough to find out.
Jill Hopkinson, Editor
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