A countryside where everyone thrives

Everyone should be able to thrive in the countryside. But we know some people, especially those growing up in rural communities, need extra support.

The challenge

Many people think of the countryside as an idyllic place to live, characterised by beautiful landscapes where people live happier, healthier lives. However, living in rural areas has its challenges.

Rural communities often lack basic services such as health and education, homes that people can afford and employment opportunities – problems made worse by poor connectivity to other areas. This can limit opportunities for younger people who wish to stay in the area and compound disadvantage experienced by others who are already more vulnerable because of their individual circumstances.

How we help

ACRE members support various rural community initiatives that seek to create opportunities for younger people and other people who need a helping hand.

Many initiatives focus on connecting rural people up with opportunities that already exist. For example, the ACRE Network has been instrumental in supporting Wheels to Work Schemes that have provided young people with the chance to hop on a scooter and get to places of work or simply visit family and friends.

Other projects and programmes supported by ACRE members create new opportunities where there are none. This can involve upskilling people, triggering new interests, or supporting new community groups to set up and tackle local issues.

The change we want to see

As part of our national advocacy, we scrutinise policy developments and make recommendations to government to make sure that wherever young people are growing up in England, they will have the fair access to a world class education, access to wider personal development opportunities, choice in post-16 education and avenues for local employment.

Specifically, we are calling on government to:

Invest in a comprehensive rural transport network, including flexible and innovative schemes such as Wheels to Work and Education so people can get to where they need to be
Spur on growth of employment and housing in rural communities, particularly for younger people

ACRE Network Case Study Derbyshire Wheels to Work

Hear from those involved in Wheels to Work; an initiative of ACRE Network member Rural Action Derbyshire helping rural residents into employment by providing an affordable and flexible means of personal transport.

A countryside where everyone thrives

Everyone should be able to thrive in the countryside. But we know some people, especially those growing up in rural communities, need extra support.

The challenge

How we help

The change we want to see

ACRE Network Case Study Derbyshire Wheels to Work

Publications and resources

Press Release: Transport, health provision, loneliness and a lack of affordable housing top list of concerns identified by rural charities

Briefing: The cost of living in rural areas

Press Release: Chronic increase of ‘hidden’ homelessness in the countryside fuelled by cost-of-living crisis, ground-breaking report shows

Blog: Is the government doing enough to stave off the cost-of-living crisis in rural areas?

Press release: Levelling up must not leave rural communities behind

Press release: More can be done to promote rural mobility and make sure residents are not disadvantaged by the location in which they live

Contact ACRE

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