AN outdoor accomodation provider has appointed a new charity partner. 

Pitchup.com has joined forces with The Farming Community Network (FCN), which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of those in the farming industry. 

The business chose the charity in recognition of th struggles farmers are facing as the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is phased out. 

David Yates, founder of Pitchup.com, said farmers are the 'guardians of the countryside'. 

“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," he said.

“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 also spoke about farmers 'stepping up' to provide more camping and caravan pitches as people began to holiday in the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic. Which has now sparked a new trend that allows farmers to 'generate new revenue streams'. 

“Farmers have turned to agritourism to help generate a new source of income from their land," he added. 

“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 will be making a donation to FCN, but also sharing mental health resources with their farming customers and signposting them to the services provided by FCN. 

Georgina Lamb, senior partnerships manager at FCN, said the support was a 'lovely gesture'. 

“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," she said. 

“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.”