LEADING outdoor accommodation provider Pitchup.com has pledged its support to UK farmers by appointing a new charity partner.

The business has joined forces with The Farming Community Network (FCN) – a voluntary organisation and charity that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people in farming, and provide support at times of difficulty and change.

Pitchup.com chose the charity in recognition of the struggles many farmers are facing as the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is phased out, causing farm incomes to fall and an increase in stress, worry, and anxiety. 

The company works closely with farmers across the UK wanting to diversify into the agritourism sector to make up the shortfall, often helping them to preserve the family farm for generations to come.

Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup.com, described farmers as the guardians of the countryside, adding that one reason so many people choose to holiday in rural Britain is due to the work they do as custodians of the landscape.

Mr Yates said: “Many farmers are having a tough time as the government transitions away from basic payments to public money for public goods, which is causing real concerns over the future viability of their businesses.

“This isn’t just impacting on their bottom line, it is having a significant impact on the mental health of many farmers and their families.

“FCN does an amazing job in supporting farmers who are struggling with this change, as well as those who need help in any area of their business or life, and we want to support them in providing these vital services.

“Farmers are the backbone of Britain. They provide the majority of the food we eat and look after the British countryside which is the envy of the world, and they deserve recognition for that.”

Mr Yates added that during the COVID pandemic people had to holiday in the UK rather than go abroad, and Britain’s farmers stepped up to the plate to provide thousands of extra camping and caravan pitches.

This has sparked a trend for holidaying in the UK, providing ongoing opportunities for farmers to generate new revenue streams. 

He said: “Farmers have turned to agritourism to help generate a new source of income from their land.

“It’s easy to see why. It is a quick and cost-effective form of diversification which only requires a modest area of land, and it fits easily around the day-to-day farming activities. Plus, the social side can be very effective in helping alleviate feelings of loneliness, worry, and stress.

“We see the agritourism sector going from strength to strength and playing an important role in helping to make farms sustainable in the light of the current changes.”

Pitchup.com partnered with FCN to help support the vital work it carries out with the farming community.

As well as making a significant donation to the charity, the business will be sharing mental health resources with their farming customers and signposting them to FCN’s services should they be facing any difficulties. 

Georgina Lamb, Senior Partnerships Manager at FCN, described Pitchup.com’s support as a ‘lovely gesture for the farming community’.

She said: “In choosing to support FCN, Pitchup.com is recognising the vital role farmers play in their business – that of sculpting and taking care of the very thing they’re selling, the glorious British countryside.

“Without farmers to do this, rural Britain would not have half the magnetic pull it does to holidaymakers.

“Pitchup’s support will help as many farmers as possible get through any struggles they might be facing, be that financial, mental or physical health, bereavement or family breakdown.

“Our aim is to help create a healthy farming community across the whole of the country, and support like this will really help us achieve that.”