Goldsmith’s Pledge, Rural Fund and Rural Project Workshop
The Goldsmiths Company have pledged to support us on building a Rural Fund including funding for a grant programme which means we can start to support rural communities from the outset, while the long-term fund builds up.

To help us understand how and where we could make a difference, we recently brought together a range of organisations working in rural Somerset. Representatives from organisations as diverse as Farm Crisis Network, MIND and Taunton Deane CVS took part in the workshop (pictured).

We identified a range of issues affecting rural communities, ranging from a lack of affordable housing to poor access to services. However there was a strong feeling from the group as a whole that one of greatest challenges facing rural Somerset is the decline in community ‘spirit’ and the increasing exclusion experienced by so many people, from adolescents to older people.

We concluded that the Foundation could make a real difference by supporting innovative local efforts to rejuvenate ‘lost’ communities and reduce the isolation so prevalent today.

We would be interested in hearing from you if you have any thoughts on the needs in rural areas, or if you know someone with a great idea to breathe new life into their rural community.

We are also looking for ‘Somerset Guardians’ to join us and pledge support to help us build the fund. If you think you could help or are interested in finding out more, please contact me, Justin Sargent on 01458 833133 or email justin.sargent@somersetcf.org.uk

< back to news