Mental health charity's 'Big BBQ' summer campaign

At this year's Royal Welsh show, the DPJ Foundation have launched their ‘Big BBQ' campaign aimed at combatting rural isolation and bringing families and communities together, whilst raising funds.

Regardless of the weather, the agricultural mental health charity encouraged people to take a break from their farming life, light up the bbq and bring people together to help connect communities and improve mental well-being.

They said one third of calls to the charity's confidential 'Share the Load' helpline are from people who are feeling lonely or isolated. The '5 Ways to Wellbeing' that are backed by the NHS recommend 'connecting with others' and 'giving to others' as two of the ways to improve your mental health.

Mental health

The DPJ Foundation's charity manager Kate Miles said:

"We know that isolation is an issue for farmers and rural communities and can have a massive impact on mental health. It can be hard to take time out to relax when you are busy, but we know that it is vitally important for boosting resilience.  We came up with the Big BBQ idea as we wanted a fun way to bring people together, whilst also allowing them to raise funds for our charity if they'd like. We hope to see DPJ Big BBQs taking place right across the country!".

Ms Miles added: "It is a great way to back Welsh farming and enjoy some local produce too."

The Big BBQ Pack is available to download from their website www.thedpjfoundation.co.uk/bigbbq