T: 01822 851370 E: [email protected]
Visit RSN Survey about life in rural England to find out more.
Members Notice Board
Two new charity gift shops are set to open in Taunton and Bridgwater this month, offering more than just handmade gifts; they’re providing young people with life-changing opportunities. Operated by Young Somerset , the Bold & Brave shops...
More than 70 politicians, partners and community business representatives gathered at the Houses of Parliament this week for the launch of Plunkett UK ’s flagship research report, Community ownership: A Better Form of Business. Ahead of...
Winchcombe Town Council is exploring how the Biodiversity Duty, introduced under Section 102 of the Environment Act 2021, is being applied in practice at local level. The strengthened duty requires all public authorities, including town and parish councils,...
National Energy Systems Operator (NESO) are delighted to invite you to participate in a virtual roundtable to hear updates on connections reform. Connections reform underpins a once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernise Great Britain’s (GB’s) energy grid, creating a fairer, more efficient system that boosts economic growth, strengthens...
New research from Plunkett UK reveals that rural community-owned businesses are already delivering social, economic and environmental benefits that align directly with government ambitions – yet they remain under-recognised and under-supported in doing so. Plunkett’s annual...
RABI has unveiled its 2025–2030 strategy, setting out a clear direction to close the wellbeing gap experienced by farming communities. The plan focuses on prevention, improving access to support, and strengthening community resilience, building on evidence from The...
The Lion at Ickleton, near Saffron Walden, Cambridgeshire, has opened a community café to provide a safe space to help people connect and socialise. The pub, which was reopened in June 2025 after members of the local community raised...
Digital tools and technologies have the potential to make access to health and care services easier and improve engagement and outcomes for patients. However, ongoing gaps in digital connectivity, skills and confidence in rural areas mean that health inequalities could...
Eden Housing , the 2,000-home housing association will use the increased financial capacity to deliver its Business Plan to invest in homes in North Cumbria. This includes building new affordable homes in areas of high demand across the Eden Valley...
Stoke Climsland Parish Council has announced the release of a Retrofit Guide intended to help residents make home improvements for a healthier and more energy efficient living environment. The free booklet demonstrates how small changes can help...
NEWSLETTER
Sign up to receive all our latest news and updates.
HOT TOPICS
Amid reduced public spending, fair resource allocation across regions is crucial. Despite a population larger than Greater London, rural areas receive significantly less funding for essential services, even though delivering these services in rural areas is more expensive.
Economic growth is widely acknowledged as essential for national wealth and prosperity and is a priority for political parties. Rural economies, employing millions and home to a higher proportion of small businesses, have potential for growth if barriers are removed.
Rural residents face distinct healthcare challenges, including limited access to transport, longer distances to medical facilities, an aging demographic, housing inadequacies, digital connectivity gaps, and difficulties recruiting health and care workers.
Rural communities are grappling with a severe affordable housing crisis, marked by high house prices, a lack of affordable housing, elevated living costs, and lower incomes, threatening their sustainability and vitality.
Transport is vital for the quality of life and economic health of rural areas, yet it faces challenges such as infrequent public bus services and less Government funding compared to urban regions.
Rural areas, encompassing a substantial portion of England's population and land, play a pivotal role in combating climate change and achieving the net zero target.
In an increasingly digital world, the lack of robust digital infrastructure in rural areas severely limits access to crucial services and stifles economic growth.
A future-focused vision for rural communities involves not just building the right homes in the right places but also ensuring thriving, sustainable communities.
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates.
Part of and working with:
