Support and advice for vulnerable farmers
About the organisation
UTASS mainly works with farmers, their families and young people in the Teesdale area to prevent problems from getting to the desperate stage. Teesdale is a large, remote, sparsely populated area. Problems of isolation, disengagement and low self esteem as well as the difficulties in coming to terms with the continuing rapid changes in agriculture, have had a dramatic effect on the coping capabilities of the local communities in our area of benefit. This contributed to unprecedented levels of suicide, higher than average numbers of people accessing mental health services and on prescribed anti-depressants. For those with urgent needs support from UTASS is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week throughout the entire year.
About the Case Study / Project
The Prince’s Countryside Fund is delighted to enable UTASS to continue with the essential services and support they provide to farmers. In particular, farmers have highlighted their worries and concerns surrounding the increasing levels of complex paperwork they have to complete and the associated penalties if the slightest of errors are made on forms. UTASS have received funding to help them deliver this kind of support to over 450 hill farming businesses and to provide basic IT training to 24 farmers in the area to help them deal with the paperwork in a more efficient way and manage their businesses more effectively.
View the Case Study PDF here
Impact
The Prince’s Countryside Fund has committed to giving £36,180 to support the charity’s existing work in helping farmers deal with red tape and in particular to fund IT training for 24 farmers. In this day and age it is almost impossible for any business to manage without a computer. But while most farmers are good with tractors and cattle and sheep, pressing little keys at a desk is not their strength. Thanks to the Fund, UTASS are changing this, which means their businesses are more efficient and profitable.
Key contact
For more information visit: www.utass.org