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Plunkett UK , a charity supporting community ownership across the UK, has released its 2024 Impact Report , highlighting the transformative effect of community-owned businesses in rural areas. In this article, the Rural Services Network focuses on the impact...
Six inspirational community-owned businesses from across the UK and the people behind them have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to their communities, and as being the most inspiring businesses of their kind by the Plunkett Foundation at its Rural...
New research by Plunkett Foundation has shown that community businesses are committed to social and environmental action despite facing multiple challenges which are threatening the economic viability of many businesses UK wide. The recently published report provides a state-of-the-sector...
Plunkett Foundation’s annual state of the sector report ‘Community Ownership: A Better Form of Business’ shows that despite facing significant challenges because of the cost-of-living and energy price crises, the community-ownership sector remains focussed on delivering social, economic and environmental...
The Plunkett Foundation, a national charity that supports rural community-owned businesses around the UK, are excited to announce that the Rural Community Business Awards are returning for another year with the support of Headline Sponsor, the North Barnes Farm Partnership...
The Plunkett Foundation is the only organisation supporting rural community-owned businesses at every stage of their journey in all four UK nations. It recently released its Impact Report 2022, detailing its successes and achievements over the year and vision for...
FACING THE FUTURE TOGETHER Join Plunkett and the community business movement for a national event being held in the West Midlands this summer Date: Thursday 6 July (10.00am – 16.15pm) Location: IET Birmingham, Austin...
The views of Plunkett's members, partners and other sector representatives. 2023 is the first year where Plunkett’s new 5 year strategy has been embedded in our business plan and will feature across all of our work streams. In...
Joe Hesketh, Plunkett’s Data Manager provides an update on their refreshed directory of assets of community value: Launched in January 2022, Keep it in the Community (KIITC) is an online database of all community assets in England, such as pubs,...
There is little doubt that, like most people, businesses face incredibly difficult times ahead and rural, community-owned businesses are no different. However, the most recent research conducted by the Plunkett Foundation identifies just how resilient community businesses have been and...
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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.
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