Union to attend various events throughout week to raise awareness

NFU Scotland will take its Farming with Dyslexia campaign out on the road next week to celebrate Dyslexia Awareness Week.

‘Making Sense of Dyslexia’ is the theme for Dyslexia Awareness Week, taking place from 2 to 8 November. NFU Scotland will be fully embracing this, having a presence at marts and workshops throughout the week, and building on the work that has been ongoing since its Farming With Dyslexia campaign launched in July 2014.

NFU Scotland will have a drop-in stand at Castle Douglas Auction Mart on Monday 2 November, and will be attending Stirling Mart on Wednesday and Huntly Mart on Thursday. Awareness will also be raised at the vehicle and transportation workshops on Thursday 5 November at Newbridge, Edinburgh and the Union’s livestock roadshows taking place throughout that week.

Since the campaign launch, dyslexic farmers and agricultural workers have been encouraged to come forward to seek advice to help them maximise their potential. A range of leaflets about the campaign will be available at NFU Scotland’s events throughout the week, with farmers encouraged to speak to us for support or further information.

NFU Scotland has worked closely with various organisations including Dyslexia Scotland over the last 18 months to signpost people to the appropriate support channels. The Union has set up a dedicated helpline, which continues to receive a number of calls from members seeking further information about the campaign.

Collaboration has also been ongoing with the Scottish Government, and NFU Scotland fully supports the training Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Division staff will receive early next year to make them more aware of dyslexia, and make communications more accessible for dyslexic farmers and landowners who contact them.

Further to this, work will continue with Scottish Government to ensure the effects of dyslexia on rural businesses are fully recognised.

Clare Slipper, NFU Scotland’s Parliamentary Officer and co-ordinator of the Farming With Dyslexia campaign, said: “Since we launched this campaign, the Union has had contact with hundreds of individuals living and working in farming communities who have an interest in dyslexia – either them being dyslexic themselves, or having a family member, friend or colleague who have dyslexia. The response has been fantastic, and we are very proud of the progress we’ve made so far in raising awareness of the issue.

“Throughout Dyslexia Awareness Week and into 2016 the focus will be on finding the tools and strategies that can assist dyslexic farmers and crofters in their everyday work. With the support of our campaign ambassadors and partnering organisations, we want to empower people not to view dyslexia as a barrier to a highly successful career in agriculture.”

Notes to editors

• For media who would like to attend any of the following events please contact ruth.mcclean@nfus.org.uk:
  • Monday 2 November - Castle Douglas Mart
  • Tuesday 3 November - Livestock Roadshow, Dingwall Mart
  • Wednesday 4 November – Stirling Mart
  • Thursday 5 November – Huntly Mart and transportation workshops at Newbridge
  • Friday 6 November – Huntingtower Hotel, Perth livestock roadshow
• For dyslexic farmers and crofters, or their families looking for more information or advice on dyslexia please call NFU Scotland’s dedicated helpline on 07775 804 717.

Ends

Contact Ruth McClean on 0131 472 4108