Free bus pass the key to happiness

Following a recommendation in the recent Lords Rural Economy report that the Government review free bus passes for over-60s, the Daily Mail covers research demonstrating free bus travel equates to a happier life.

Social Care model suggested

Former cabinet minister Damian Green has today published a report with the think tank Centre of Policy Studies in which he argues that current social care is inadequate, and the Government should be spending an addition £2.5 billion annually, according to the Guardian.

Baroness Tyler comments on bank closures

Baroness Tyler, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Social Mobility and the Lords Committee on Financial Exclusion, has written for PoliticsHome.com welcoming Nationwide’s commitment to keep branches open.

It came after the building society announced that every town or city which currently has a branch will still have one in 2021. She commented: ‘I find it deeply ironic that the UK is considered a world leader in financial services when its banks fail to provide basic services to so many vulnerable consumers.

How to reduce rural ambulance waits

An article from the BBC discusses how the NHS is promising to reduce the gap between how long it takes to get a 999 response to critically injured patients in rural and urban areas.

A BBC News investigation into the highest-category callouts has found rural areas waited over 50% longer.

Council warns of 1bn social care black hole

Following the announcement that councils will be allowed to raise taxes by 2.99 per cent in 2019/2020, town hall leaders warned of a £1 billion social care funding gap, as reported by the Independent.

How can we further develop a picture of income inequality in the countryside

The gap between the poorest and richest households appears to be growing; thus reversing a downward trend over the previous 10 years. What is income inequality and how prevalent is it in rural areas? Jessica Sellick investigates.

Raising awareness of Parkinsons in Rural areas

The Rural Services Partnership (RSP) is working in partnership with Parkinson’s UK in rural communities throughout England to address issues such as vulnerability, isolation and loneliness, transport and poor access to communications.

Following This World Parkinson’s Day on the 11th April, the RSP wishes to raise awareness of Parkinson’s new campaign, Parkinson’s Is, with our rural networks.

Working with Living Memories

We are pleased to be working with Living Memories as part of the Rural Services Partnership (RSP).  Living Memories uses still and moving images in archive programmes to create memory trigger resources to aid reminiscence by older people who grew up in the 1930s -1960s.  These archive film based resources can be particularly helpful to aid reminiscnece for any older person developing dementia.

The Tea & Memories pilot group in Colyton is doing extremely well and they are getting requests to set up similar groups in other communities in East Devon.  They are considering organising Pop Up Tea & Memories sessions across Devon during 2019.