'I know the last person you think about is yourself' - new NTF initiative to help trainers

Trainers in the north are being offered a helping hand and a sympathetic ear as part of a new National Trainers Federation (NTF) initiative.

Jo Foster, who struggled with feelings of isolation after breaking her spine in a riding accident, has been appointed the new trainers' mental welfare representative for the region.

The West Yorkshire-based trainer, whose previous efforts to help combat social isolation by taking horses out into the community earned her a 1 Million Minutes award from ITV's Good Morning Britain last year, believes mental health problems are more widespread in the profession than previously realised, and many suffering could be unable or unwilling to seek help.

"As a trainer, I know the last person you think about is yourself, you are more worried about horses, or the staff and so on," she said. "Your welfare is last on the list.

"Racing is unique in that it's a lifestyle and an addiction, an all-consuming 24/7 life choice, and not all trainers have a big support network around them that they can turn to when things get hard. Others are too busy supporting everybody else to realise they need to offload too.

"Racing is like a big family, we are great at looking out for each other, but if you don't know somebody is suffering and they don't reach out for help, it can be very isolating."

The NTF has been aware of the need to tackle the problem for a while, and Foster said: "This scheme was launched in Lambourn in May as a trial with Michael Caulfield and David Arbuthnot and it soon became clear it was doing some good, so the idea was to extend it to the north."

Foster has been keen to get involved herself since her fall on the gallops in 2017, which left her in a wheelchair for several months.

"After my accident I saw there was a bit of a gap," she said. "To understand the problems we in racing may experience you really need to have been involved in the industry. It's hard otherwise. I just felt I could give something back and I’m good at it.

Jo Foster at Jack Berry House while recovering from her back injury Credit: David Carr

"So I enrolled at Leeds College to study counselling, then I did a postgraduate in sports psychology at Leeds Beckett University, helped by Jets [Jockeys Education & Training Scheme]. And when I heard about the NTF scheme I put myself forward to help."

Details of how to get in touch with Foster will be available on the NTF website and she is looking forward to offering counselling, or simply a chat, to anyone who can benefit.

"I'll be available to all the northern trainers, if they need to get something off their chest, are having an off day or need more assistance," she said.

"Just as importantly, they may know of another trainer who is suffering. Someone who needs our help. It is all completely confidential. I can have just a brief chat, call in at the yard, as many or as few sessions as they require really.

"Trainers can ring or message me or get in touch via the NTF."

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