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Village hall groups across the UK are being encouraged to put 17-23 March 2025 in their diaries by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE). The charity hopes to use the week as an opportunity to spotlight the efforts...
The Go Green West Norfolk project is offering grants of up to £8,000 to help community, village halls, and sports facilities in West Norfolk reduce their carbon footprint and enhance energy efficiency. This funding, sourced from the UK Shared Prosperity...
ACRE is pleased to confirm that village hall management committees can apply once again for larger grants to improve their buildings The fund , which was originally announced to mark the Late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee has reopened for...
Every year, the first week of June marks an extraordinary period where we shine a light on the selfless individuals whose dedication helps to keep the heart of rural communities beating—our volunteers. As part of Volunteers Week , The...
The Spring Budget , presented last week by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, has sparked interest and concern among rural communities and their advocates. The Rural Services Network (RSN) has identified areas of potential benefit for rural areas while also noting...
The Chancellor’s announcement of £5 million towards the Platinum Jubilee Village Hall Fund for England is a significant win for rural communities. This timely injection of funds arrives as we approach Village Halls Week, a celebration of these crucial community...
Defra funded grant scheme reopens for those managing rural community buildings, this time with a lower award threshold of £2, 000 to support smaller projects and make it accessible to more groups. In 2023, a £3 million village halls...
A report detailing an audit by independent charity Devon Communities Together into village halls, has shown the importance of village halls in rural community life. The full report from DCT shares evidence on all the areas DCT audited, including...
Airband is a provider of rural broadband services and this year is working closely with the Rural Services Network. Founded in 2009, Airband is an independent internet service provider bringing high speed broadband to homes,...
Village Halls Week is a national campaign, highlighting the contribution of England’s 10,000+ village halls to rural communities. It is an opportunity for hall management committees to celebrate their work and get inspiration from others. It's also an opportunity for...
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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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