Bringing Support to Our Rural Communities
Kerry Griffiths, Village Agent for Ladden Brook, South Gloucestershire at the West of England Rural Network (WERN) blogs about connecting rural residents with essential services and support, and how building on established Village Agent approaches continues to strengthen local communities.
While I’m still relatively new to my role with WERN, over the past 10 months I’ve had the privilege of working alongside rural communities across South Gloucestershire. During this time, I’ve been helping people access the services, support, and organisations they need to remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible.
As a Village Agent with WERN, my role is incredibly varied. I provide practical support and advice through confidential one-to-one home visits, supporting residents to navigate everything from benefits and utilities to healthcare services and social support. I also work closely with voluntary groups, parish councils, healthcare providers, and community organisations to help ensure local people receive the support they need.
Much of my work takes place out in the community — attending coffee mornings, visiting craft groups, speaking with local residents, or supporting organised events. These conversations are often where I learn the most about the challenges people face.
One issue came up time and time again: access.
Many people living in our rural villages struggle to travel to larger towns where services are often based. Limited public transport, mobility challenges, and isolation can all make it difficult for residents to access the help that is available.
The inspiration for tackling this challenge came when I attended an Ageing Well festival in Yate, where more than 50 organisations were showcasing their services. While it was fantastic to see so much support available in one place, it made me stop and think - ‘What about the people in our rural villages who simply can’t get there?’
That’s when the idea was born — why not bring these services directly into our communities? With the incredible support of staff and volunteers from The Keepers – Wotton Area Community Hub, that idea became a reality.
On Thursday 19th February, Charfield Village Hall was transformed into a vibrant hub of activity for Charfield Community Connections, a free community event designed to connect residents from Charfield and surrounding villages with local services, groups, and support networks.
Organised by WERN and The Keepers, the event aimed to bridge the gap between rural residents and essential services through an engaging and welcoming ‘information marketplace’.
Representatives from a wide range of organisations attended, offering support in areas such as:
Health and Wellbeing : Practical advice and services to help people stay healthy, active, and well.
Support for Families, Older Adults, and Carers: Information and resources tailored to people at different stages of life.
Community Groups and Local Initiatives: Opportunities to get involved, meet others, and build stronger community connections.
Essential Advice Services: Guidance on volunteering opportunities, utilities, food support, and benefits advice.
Of course, the day wasn’t solely about information and accessing services — it was also about bringing people together. Throughout the afternoon, the hall was filled with conversation, creativity, and laughter. While adults explored the various stalls, children enjoyed dedicated activities, making it a truly multi-generational event. One of the highlights was the ‘Creative Wellbeing Artwork Showcase’, which celebrated the incredible talent within our local community.
To ensure everyone felt welcome, refreshments were offered on a Pay As You Feel basis, helping to keep the event inclusive and accessible to all.
Events such as Charfield Community Connections really matter and are a powerful reminder of the strength, resilience, and spirit of our rural communities. These events build on a well‑established Village Agent approach that has proven successful in other unitary areas over many years. Seeing this model in action locally, reinforces just how valuable it is for connecting rural residents with the support they need.
By bringing this kind of support closer to home, we can reduce barriers, tackle isolation, and ensure that people know help is available — often much closer than they realise.
For more information or support, please contact:
Kerry Griffiths
Email: kerry@wern.org.uk
Telephone: 07958 158591
For more information about the Village Agents, or to arrange support in your area, click HERE.