The closure of Farm Soho is a reminder that behind every company announcement are people whose working lives can change suddenly.
The London post-production facility shut last week, before entering administration. Broadcast reported on 5 October 2026 that staff had lost their jobs after a prospective investment deal fell through. The timing matters: although the headline can feel like an overnight event, the consequences often arrive at short notice for the people who work there and rely on the business.
For affected freelancers and crew, the Film and TV Charity is offering practical financial, emotional and workspace support. Here’s what is available, and how to find out more.
A closure affects more than the company
When a business closes, the immediate news is about the organisation: its trading, its finances and its future. But the impact reaches people who may have had little or no control over what happened.
Staff can lose their jobs. Freelancers may lose bookings or expected work. Suppliers can be left waiting for income. Families may need to rethink bills and plans. These are not signs that someone has failed to plan well enough. They are the human consequences of instability in an industry where work and income can already be unpredictable.
Farm Soho was a post-production facility in London, and the reported closure followed the collapse of an investment deal. You can read the Broadcast report for details. The news is specific to this business, but the wider concern is familiar across film and television: when an organisation changes or closes, the pressure can land quickly on people who were simply doing their jobs.
The personal shock of losing work
For freelancers, a cancelled booking or lost client can affect more than the next payslip. Work that was expected may already have been built into plans for rent, childcare, travel or debt repayments. When it disappears, the financial shock can be immediate.
There can also be a loss of routine and identity. Film and television work is often collaborative and intense. A job can shape how you spend your days, who you see and how connected you feel to the industry. When that stops unexpectedly, it can be difficult to know what to do with the space it leaves.
Isolation can make the situation harder. Freelancers may not have a workplace or a team to check in with. People can feel pressure to appear fine, keep networking and move straight on to the next opportunity, even when they are worried about money or struggling emotionally.
That reaction is understandable. You do not need to wait until you reach crisis point to ask for help. Practical support can help with immediate needs, while talking to someone can make a difficult situation feel less solitary.
What support is available right now?
The Film and TV Charity offers several kinds of help for people working behind the scenes in film, television and cinema. The details below reflect the charity’s current published information; check its pages directly for eligibility, availability and any changes.
1. Stop-Gap Grants for urgent financial needs
The charity’s Stop-Gap Grant provides up to £500 for urgent household needs. Each application is assessed individually. The grant is intended for people who have no other income or savings available to meet the immediate need.
The charity’s eligibility criteria include working behind the scenes in UK film or television and having at least 40 days of paid work in the previous 18 months. There is also a route for people who have worked in the industry for at least two years and are seeking support to return after a career break. Cinema workers have separate criteria.
If you think you might qualify, read the full criteria before applying. The application asks for information such as photo ID, a CV, links to professional profiles and an overview of income and outgoings. If you are unsure whether you are eligible, the charity advises contacting its grants team before starting an application.
A grant is not guaranteed, and it may not cover every financial pressure. But checking the criteria is a concrete first step if sudden loss of work has left you struggling with essential costs.
2. Free, confidential support and counselling
The charity’s 24-hour Support Line is free and confidential. It is open to people working behind the scenes in film, television and cinema, and can provide support with issues including anxiety, depression, debt and money worries, as well as in-the-moment help when you need someone to talk to.
Call 0800 054 0000 at any time, day or night. If calling does not feel right for you, the charity also offers live chat through its website.
The charity says people working behind the scenes can request a referral through the Support Line for up to six free counselling sessions. These can take place in person or remotely. Contact the line to ask what is available and what the process involves.
3. Free workspace at 22 Golden Square
If you no longer have an office to go to, or simply do not want to spend every working day at home, the charity offers free workspace at 22 Golden Square, London W1F 9AD.
The space is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. It is intended for people in the film, television and cinema industry who want somewhere to work, meet colleagues or have an informal discussion. Wi-Fi is available.
Bookings are in two-hour slots, and availability is limited. The charity’s workspace page explains how to reserve a place and the booking limits. Check the current details before travelling.
Practical next steps if you’ve been affected
There is no single right way to respond. Start with the issue that needs attention first: money, work, wellbeing or simply getting through the next few days.
- Check the grant criteria. Read the Stop-Gap Grant guidance and gather the information it asks for. If anything is unclear, contact the grants team before applying.
- Use the Support Line if you need to talk. Call 0800 054 0000 for free, confidential support, or use the charity’s live chat. You do not need to have everything worked out before you reach out.
- Consider a change of scenery. If working from home is increasing the sense of isolation, check availability and book a slot at 22 Golden Square.
- Tell someone you trust. A colleague, friend or family member may be able to help you think through immediate priorities or simply stay connected while you work out what comes next.
- Keep a basic routine where possible. Regular meals, sleep, a walk and a clear stopping time will not fix job loss or financial stress. They can, however, offer some structure while things are unsettled.
If you know someone who may be affected, pass on the charity’s support details. A short message with the grant, workspace and Support Line links could help someone find assistance they might not know exists.
You do not have to navigate this alone
A company closing can bring real uncertainty, especially when your income, routine or sense of belonging is tied to the work. There is no need to minimise that, and no expectation that you should simply bounce back.
The Film and TV Charity’s support is there for people behind the scenes who are dealing with the practical and emotional effects. Check what you may be eligible for, contact the Support Line, and let colleagues know these options exist. One step is enough to begin.