Research conducted by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) has shed light on how organisations supporting rural communities have adapted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.
According to a recent survey, a lack of transportation was cited as the most significant concern by 37 county-based charities working across England in support of rural communities, surpassing issues such as the pandemic and access to community facilities, which were more pressing concerns in 2020. Other concerns that featured prominently included health and care provision, loneliness and isolation, and a lack of affordable housing.
ACRE Network members also reported a significant increase in demand for their services across the board, particularly for initiatives that aim to improve health and wellbeing and address fuel poverty. In the last year alone, they responded to over 28,000 rural community groups, indicating a high level of demand similar to that seen during the height of the pandemic.
These list of concerns aligns very closely with a number of stategic work priorities being addressed by Beds RCC such as:
- Access to affordable rural housing
- Providing Door 2 Door community transport for vulnerable members of the community
- Improving health and wellbeing through social prescribing and community agents
- Helping with fuel povety by implementing warm hubs