Samaritans fear suicide rise as rural jobless struggle for work

The psychological toll on jobseekers facing an immense struggle to secure employment in the countryside has prompted a stark warning that suicide rates could now rise.

Charities such as Samaritans are now looking at measures to provide additional support to often-isolated communities via the internet.

Talks are underway with internet search engines such as Google and social networking sites including Facebook to provide extra counselling services online.

Samaritans’ trustee and Professor of Health Policy Research at the University of Edinburgh, Stephen Platt, confirmed that while suicide figures have remained relatively unchanged since 2008, fears are mounting that the prolonged economic slump will lead to an increase.

Prof Platt called on family members and friends to look out for any tell-tale signs of stress to help prevent emotional problems escalating.

He added: “Suicide rates may still increase over the coming years as the long-term effects of the recession, rising unemployment and budget cuts take their toll on the mental health of the nation.

“Every suicide is a tragedy and it is vital that, as a nation, we do not become complacent in our work to reduce the number of unnecessary deaths.”

Research has revealed that financial worries remain the biggest concern for millions of households across the country.

A study conducted by Samaritans showed that 57 per cent of people surveyed feared they would not have enough money to live comfortably this year.

A total of 37 per cent of those who took part are worried about losing their jobs or are having difficulty finding work.

Politicians in Yorkshire have stressed that every effort needs to be made to ensure that there is adequate support for unemployed people living in rural parts of the region.

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for rural services and economic development, Coun Clare Wood, claimed there are “green shoots of economic recovery”, but conceded the economy is still in a critical condition.

She added: “Unemployment is a very frightening prospect for people who may well have been in a job all their working life up until now.

“The economic climate is certainly not the greatest at the moment but I am hopeful that there are signs of recovery.

“But we do need to make sure that we provide as much support as possible to people who are looking for work in countryside communities.

“We do not want people to feel trapped in their own homes, and they need to know that there is help out there for them.”

A pioneering scheme, called Step Up, has been launched in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire in the hope it will improve basic qualifications and bolster job prospects.

It is being aimed at specific sectors including care services, retail and tourism, which already employ a major proportion of Ryedale’s workforce.

The project, the first of its kind to be launched in North Yorkshire, has been funded by Ryedale District Council and is being delivered by the county council.

The Ryedale area manager for North Yorkshire County Council’s learning and skills service, Gill Garbutt, admitted the prolonged economic downturn will see the district’s high employment rates eroded as more and more people lose their jobs.

Mrs Garbutt added: “In many rural areas, there are few prospects for people to move up the career ladder.

“The job market is becoming increasingly competitive, and if you haven’t got the right piece of paper with the relevant qualifications on it, then you will find it extremely tough to go up against other people who have a far better CV.

“So many jobs are advertised online now and if you don’t have the qualifications to put on the application form, you simply will not progress through to the next selection stage.

“A lot of people who are coming to us may not have had the best experience with education before, but I am confident that schemes such as Step Up can make a real difference. It is so tough out there to find work, but we are doing all we can to help people get the necessary training to ensure they can progress their career.”

Widow helped make way back into the workforce

MARGUERITE Markham’s life was turned upside down when her husband of 31 years died at the age of just 53 a decade ago.

The grandmother-of-five was faced with a huge challenge of rebuilding her life as well as beginning the search for work – made all the harder by a lack of formal qualifications.

Mrs Markham, 60, who lives in Pickering, admits herself that while her brain has always been active, she has never excelled academically.

She said: “I do have a lot of life experience, but I do not have a lot of formal qualifications. It is extremely hard for people of my age to find themselves looking for work as the job market is so competitive.”

Born in Huddersfield, Mrs Markham was brought up in Kettering in Northamptonshire where she met her future husband, Derek.

The couple married in 1970, before they moved to Givendale Head Farm, near Ebberston in North Yorkshire. They remained at the farm for 12 years, although they left in 1990 when it was sold.

Mr Markham then secured a job in the livestock industry before he passed away in 2001.

His widow was faced with not only overcoming her grief, but also finding work to pay the bills.

She had helped with the banking and book-keeping while running Givendale Head Farm, and also worked as a shop assistant.

Mrs Markham has volunteered with organisations including Oxfam and the Girl Guides, and was appointed the treasurer for Thornton-le-Dale’s country show.

But her lack of qualifications has hindered her search for work after she moved back to the UK from Cyprus in September.

Mrs Markham went on a Step Up adult learning course at Lady Lumley’s School in Pickering to gain certificates in numeracy, literacy, customer service and food safety.

She is now working in Pickering’s Co-op store after 40 applications were received for just two jobs. She is hoping to become a teaching assistant, and is studying for the necessary qualifications.

Mrs Markham said: “There are a lot of people out there who will find themselves in the same position I was in, but they may not have the same initiative to do something about it.

“But my experiences prove that it is never too old to learn, and there are people out there who can help you.”