Welcome to the Autumn 2022 Rural Services Partnership Spotlight

As the days draw in we have plenty of best practice to share from a wide number of our members from across a wide range of sectors.  In this edition we feature the rural cost of living crisis, renewable energy, rural health, rural jobs, funding support, rural homeless, rural connectivity, rural arts and much more. Happy reading! 

New Members
The RSP continues to increase its membership with well over 220 members! We are delighted to welcome the following 8 organisations that have signed up since our summer edition of Spotlight.  Click on each organisation logo to find out more.

Free online seminars and events
We complete our 2022 seminar programme next month with 3 exciting seminars. Firstly, we focus on Rural Town Centres, High Streets & Village Hubs on 2nd November. Followed by a Rural Health & Social Care seminar on the 16th November and a Rural Economies seminar on the 30th November. Further information and booking details for each seminar can be found at the below links:
     - Rural Town Centres, High Streets & Village Hubs (click here)
     - Rural Health & Social Care (click here)
     - Rural Economies (click here)

Remember all events are free of charge to our members only.

Keep your stories coming
We’re always keen to promote our member organisations, so if you have an article you would like to feature in either a future Spotlight, or our weekly Rural Services Network e-bulletin, please email to admin@sparse.gov.uk

FEATURED ARTICLES

Cost of Living Crisis
At Citizens Advice Hull and East Riding we are seeing the impact that the continuing cost of living crisis is having on members of our community on a daily basis.

Locally, we supporting hundreds of clients each month with debt related issues. The debt that the majority of those clients are seeking our specialist support for is regarding their fuel bills. This is a pattern that is continuing month on month and has been on the rise since April this year.
This data is also supported by figures from National Citizens Advice who reported that general debt issues are yet to return to pre-COVID levels but not for queries regarding energy debt. These queries are now much higher than they were pre-COVID and it is predicted that this will only increase as we head in to the colder months.
Read more

Renewable rural energy: heating options for rural homeowners on the 2026 deadline
In its bid to reach net zero, the government set a target to electrify heating for off-gas grid properties by 2026. But what are the options for rural homes - and how can we adopt a fair, practical approach to decarbonise rural energy? Liquid Gas UK considers the solutions.

In the ‘Heat and Buildings Strategy’, the government outlines its intent to phase out new oil and gas boilers in favour of heat pumps.

With an end date nine years earlier than the 2035 target for buildings on the gas grid, there are fears a one-size-fits-all policy unfairly penalises off-grid communities.
Read more

The Patients Association’s Patient Partnership Week – Starts 28 November
At the Patients Association we’re championing patient partnership because we believe when patients work with the health and care system, outcomes for patients are better.

Over the next three years, we want to make patient partnership the normal way patients and health and care professionals work together.
Read more

The Prince’s Countryside Fund’s farming programmes now open to support farmers and family farm business across the UK:
Founded by HM King Charles III in 2010 while he was The Prince of Wales, The Prince’s Countryside Fund (PCF) is the only UK-wide charity that empowers small family farm businesses and rural communities. The PCF is inspired by those that live and work across rural Britain and is recognised for its commitment to creating a sustainable future.
Read more

Cost of living crisis – a perfect storm for increase in rural homelessness
New research being conducted by the University of Kent and the University of Southampton has found that the cost-of-living crisis and the critical shortage of affordable homes has increased rural homelessness.
Interim results from the research – which was jointly commissioned by rural advocates, including several housing associations and the National Housing Federation – found that 88% of participating housing and homelessness providers believe homelessness has increased in their area in the last year. Of these organisations, 80% felt at a disadvantage compared to those in urban areas who had more access to funding and support.
Read more

Harrogate-based Pub is The Hub chief executive presented with top accolade
John Longden, the chief executive of Harrogate-based Pub is The Hub, has been presented with an Industry Champion Award for the organisation’s work in helping pubs to diversify to support local communities.

The award was presented by trade association the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) at its annual dinner in London on 12th October 2022. The event, which took place at the Leonardo Royal Hotel near Tower Bridge and was sponsored by Sky, was attended by over 300 people from brewing and pub businesses and the organisations that support them, to celebrate those who tirelessly support the industry and the communities across the country they serve.
Read more

Closing the digital divide - how the Shared Rural Network will help rural communities
The challenges associated with having poor mobile phone reception are all too familiar to many of those living in rural areas. Mobile technology and connectivity have become a necessity no matter where you live. The ability to quickly access information, work and learn remotely, use online services, and stay connected with friends and family, are all part of the world we live in. 

However, not all areas have access to reliable broadband and 4G networks. DMSL is working closely with the UK Government and the mobile network operators (MNOs) - EE, Three, Virgin Media O2 and Vodafone - to help close the digital divide and increase mobile connectivity in rural parts of the UK by delivering the Shared Rural Network (SRN).
Read more

Lack of public appreciation contributes to loneliness in farming
A lack of public appreciation for farmers and understanding of the work they do and the pressures they’re under contributes to feelings of loneliness, according to a new study published by The Farming Community Network and the University of Exeter’s Centre for Rural Policy Research.
The researchers explored the causes of feelings of isolation and loneliness in farming communities. The study involved in-depth interviews with 22 farmers/members of farming families and 6 farm support practitioners in England, conducted either by telephone or video-call between March and July 2021.
Read more

NALC publishes the 2022 edition of Points of Light
The 2022 edition of Points of Light has been published by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC), highlighting local (parish and town) councils' excellent work to support their communities.
Points of Light aims to promote good practice and raise awareness of local councils' work. This year's edition features examples of facilitating summer activity sessions for local children, running award-winning sports and community facilities, carrying out town centre improvements, funding a community agent post, and supporting a cost-of-living crisis day.
Read more

Devon charity to share the stories of county’s village halls
Independent charity Devon Communities Together is carrying out an audit of Devon’s village halls to understand their stories – from their achievements to their struggles – which will result in a first ever asset map of these vital community facilities. The programme is funded by Devon Communities Together in partnership with Devon Public Health and DEFRA.
The aim of the initiative is to celebrate the value of village halls and what they mean to their communities, but also to understand what support they need and what potential they may have for providing additional services. The information will be used to support and maintain these spaces as important assets for the future health and wellbeing of their communities.
Read more

Touring arts in libraries
The Touring Arts in Libraries Project (TAIL) is a fantastic 2 year project, funded by the Arts Council England and delivered by the National Rural Touring Forum (NRTF), a national organisation set up to support high quality creative experiences for rural audiences.
Libraries exist as neutral, accessible spaces, free and open to everyone, and without the usual social and cultural barriers of an art gallery or theatre. There is a strong argument to support not only the existence of a library in every community but a future of libraries as spaces where individuals and communities can come together to share creative and cultural experiences.
Read more

Ready, able and mobile!
A young tenant at a South Devon apartment block for people with learning difficulties can now extend his independence even further than he dreamed possible when he first moved into his ground-floor ‘independent living’ home.
And it’s all thanks to his fantastic local community in Dartington, who rallied round with moral support and financial backing.
Read more

Research reveals strong community business growth and a growing movement of rural, community campaigners
There is little doubt that, like most people, businesses face incredibly difficult times ahead and rural, community-owned businesses are no different. However, the most recent research conducted by the Plunkett Foundation identifies just how resilient community businesses have been and how the charity will continue to support these not-for-profit businesses that provide essential services to their local communities.
Read more

Showcasing innovation in rural business
The National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) has showcased innovation in rural businesses by producing six short films.
The videos feature firms in Northumberland which portray the rich diversity of the rural economy and demonstrate how each of the businesses uses innovation and why it is important.
Read more

United Utilities are here to help with your water bills
We know it’s a difficult time for many households in the North West due to the cost of living crisis. We really don’t want you to be worried about your water bill payments so please get in touch with us on 0800 072 6765 if you’re having difficulties, so we can help. You can also complete our online form at unitedutilities.com/difficulty-paying-bill and we’ll call you back.
Some ways we can support you with your water bill payments include:
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Queen’s Green Canopy Programme marked with double tree planting
The Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Mrs Elizabeth Fothergill CBE, has planted two trees to mark Derby College’s contribution to the Queen’s Green Canopy programme.
The Lord Lieutenant, accompanied by Deputy Lord Lieutenant Brell Ewart, who has led on the county’s role in the programme, visited Broomfield Hall in Morley where they met Countryside students and staff as well as apprentices and volunteers who help maintain the grounds at the college.
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