- Choose a gift
- Choose a card
- Special message
- Checkout
Rural Life - Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Service (UTASS)
The
problems faced by communities living in the countryside are masked because
the poor are often living in pockets of deprivation alongside areas of affluence.
Out-migration, isolation, economic decline and a lack of facilities are
just some of the problems they face.
Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Service started work in May 2000 with the explicit aim of reducing rural stress. They achieve this by assisting the communities of Upper Teesdale come to terms with the rapid changes taking place in agriculture, through the provision of practical advice, information and training.
During the Foot and Mouth crisis UTASS provided invaluable support not just for farmers but for all residents during this extremely difficult time.
As well as providing administrative support for farmers the group also runs re-training courses on IT and health and safety.
A local GP summoned up the work of UTASS as follows, “It is my very strongly held opinion that the contribution made by UTASS to the mental well being of those of us who live in the Upper Dale has been great. They have managed to reduce the fears and uncertainties that would otherwise have made life intolerable for many”.
Diane Spark, Project Manager at UTASS said: “If it had not been for
County Durham Foundation, UTASS would not now exist”.
