WERN awarded National Lottery funding to improve support & representation for rural communities
The £100k grant will help the charity address key challenges driving disadvantage in rural areas across the West of England region by inspiring and backing community-led initiatives that improve access to good jobs, services and affordable homes, as well as creating opportunities for people to socialise and live healthier lives.
Phillip Vincent, Chief Executive of West of England Rural Network (WERN) said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be awarded funding from the Lottery to investigate, test and determine how longer-term support can be levered in for the benefit of rural communities.
Over a quarter of the region’s population live outside of built-up areas but often their circumstances and needs get overlooked. Although life in the countryside certainly has its advantages, we know many people are held back because of where they live. This grant will enable us to drum up interest in taking a community-led approach to tackling key issues such as the lack of public transport, digital exclusion, homes that are unaffordable and difficult to heat, and social isolation.”
The charity will be working to an ambitious 18-month programme of work. This will involve convening stakeholders from across public, private, and charity sectors to encourage a region-wide, collaborative approach to tackling rural disadvantage.
Several rural communities across Bath & North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire an North Somerset will also be challenged to consider, discuss and develop local projects. This work will be supported with input from an independent participatory research and evaluation specialist who will give voice to the people involved.
An initial focus will be on scrutinising the Mayor’s ‘Transport Vision’ to make sure rural communities needs are factored into plans, including support for the regions’ numerous community-led transport groups which offer bespoke and highly flexible solutions to help local people get to where they need to be.
The charity is also interested to see how rural community-led projects can have spin off environmental benefits, for example reducing the need for people to travel by providing greater opportunities locally, or making use of new technology to upgrade homes and reduce energy consumption.
Sam Ross, Chair of WERN added, “We are extremely grateful to the Lottery for trusting us to champion the needs of rural communities across the West of England region. I know from my own village of Farmborough that there’s great value in people coming together locally to develop initiatives that meet local needs – like our community-owned village shop and good neighbour scheme which helps people get to hospital, doctors surgeries, dentists etc.
This region-wide programme is an opportunity to showcase what can be achieved when such activity in rural communities is more energetically encouraged, supported and funded. We look forward to working with lots of different stakeholders to make sure this becomes the norm, not the exception.”
WERN is currently looking to hire a Community Development Manager to take forward the Lottery funded programme with applications invited until noon Monday 23 March.
ENDS
Notes to editors
West of England Rural Network (WERN) is a charity that exists to facilitate sustainable, resilient and inclusive rural communities where everyone can thrive across the West of England region which includes Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. It encourages and supports locally-led initiatives, as well as drawing on this experience to make sure rural community needs are understood and acted upon by policy makers and service providers.
A restricted grant of £99,563 has been awarded to WERN by the National Lottery Community Fund as part of the Reaching Communities England Programme. The award was made on merit of WERN’s proposals to help people come together through inclusive places, spaces and activities.
For more information, please contact Phillip Vincent, phillip@wern.org.uk, 07985027456