15 January 2009
New guide to strengthening rural communities launched by the
Plunkett Foundation
A guide to how rural communities can use social enterprise to
meet the challenges of the current economic crisis has been
launched by the Plunkett Foundation.
At a time when the economic situation means that rural
communities are facing more challenges than ever, this inspiring
and informative guide shows communities how to use social
enterprise approaches to take control of the issues affecting their
everyday lives.
The challenges faced by rural communities are heightened by
greater distances, a more widely dispersed population and poor
access to jobs and services. Increasingly, rural social enterprises
– businesses for a social purpose - are stepping up to the mark and
finding ways to overcome these challenges.
The Strengthening Rural Communities: Information, Advice and
Support guide – which includes a film featuring several Northwest
social enterprises such as the community shop and post office at
Nenthead near Alston, Cumbria – focuses on the broad range of
advice that rural social enterprises need to get established or to
expand their services.
Packed with case studies, tips and useful contact details, the
guide is designed to inspire rural communities looking to improve
their access to services, and to give them the tools they need to
set up their own community-led initiatives.
“The purpose of the guide and film”, says James Alcock, Project
Manager at the Plunkett Foundation, “is to highlight the
achievements of the organisations supported by the Strengthening
Rural Communities across the Northwest programme in addressing the
gap in vital rural services, including access to retail services,
finance, and healthcare.”
Funding came from the Strengthening Rural Communities Across the
North West programme. The programme was funded by the Northwest
Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and managed by the Plunkett
Foundation in conjunction with the North West Rural Community
Councils.
David Hunter, Head of Rural Development at the NWDA, said, “This
innovative work
has shown that small scale investments can make all the difference
to a community project and we are keen to build on its success
within the region. There have been real achievements in rural
communities across the North West and I hope the guide and film can
help inspire new ideas in the current economic climate and help
communities to thrive in the future.”
Nenthead Community Shop Ltd, which is highlighted in the guide
and film, is one of a number of examples of communities across the
Northeest that’s using social enterprise to take control of the
issues affecting their everyday lives.
Nenthead is a small and isolated community and at 1,500 feet is
England’s highest village. Originally a mining community, Nenthead
once had a series of shops and services to support the workers and
their families. In 2006, the last remaining shop closed when its
owners retired. The challenges this presented to some residents was
significant, particularly as there was a 10 mile round trip to the
nearest shop and limited access to public transport in that area.
Following support from Strengthening Rural Communities across the
North West, a community-owned and managed shop and post office was
established to provide a social hub for the community.
James Alcock concludes: “The guide and film demonstrate that the
solutions and models used by the communities are transferable. They
provide practical ideas and information for other rural communities
to use along with a directory of where to go to for further advice
and assistance.”
For further information on the Plunkett Foundation and its work
please visit www.plunkett.co.uk or contact us
on info@plunkett.co.uk or
01993 810730.
Notes to Editors:
The Strengthening Rural Communities: Information, Advice and
Support guide, and the accompanying film, are available on the
Plunkett website (www.plunkett.co.uk). Hard copies
are available by e-mailing info@plunkett.co.uk or by calling
01993 810 730.
Strengthening Rural Communities across the North West (http://www.plunkett.co.uk/whatwedo/src/Index.cfm)
was a support programme for social enterprises and community-led
initiatives that worked with rural villages to help improve and
develop the local services in their communities. It supported more
than 58 social enterprises and community-led initiatives throughout
Cumbria, Lancashire and Cheshire. The programme was funded by the
NWDA and managed by the Plunkett Foundation in conjunction with the
North West Rural Community Councils. Projects supported ranged from
community-owned shops, to a furniture recycling scheme, and a music
therapy trust. Other initiatives included a horticultural project
which provides fresh produce via a mobile shop and which also
creates invaluable training opportunities for adults with learning
difficulties.
The Plunkett Foundation (www.plunkett.co.uk) is a national
organisation which promotes and supports co-operatives and social
enterprises in rural communities. In a world in which rural
communities are seeing challenges to services, jobs and community
vitality, the Plunkett Foundation builds on a tradition which will
help rural communities to find the solutions to tackle the problems
they face. Through its commitment to co-operatives and social
enterprises, Plunkett provides support, networks and knowledge that
offer practical solutions for rural communities and help to create
thriving places where people live and work now and in the future.
The Plunkett Foundation works with the Office of the Third Sector
to promote social enterprises in rural communities (http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector.aspx).
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic
development and regeneration of England’s North West and is
responsible for:
• supporting business growth and encouraging
investment
• matching skills provision to employer needs
• creating the conditions for economic growth
• connecting the region through effective transport and
communication infrastructure
• promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life
For further information visit: www.nwda.co.uk
Northwest Rural Community Councils is an organisation comprised
of the three rural community councils in the North West region.
This includes Cheshire Action (www.cheshireaction.org.uk),
Community Futures (www.communityfutures.org.uk)
and Action with Communities in Cumbria (www.ruralcumbria.org.uk