How can we combat rural loneliness?

For many people, rural sights, sounds and communities are preferable to an urban lifestyle. But for others – particularly the young and elderly – rural living can be difficult, whether shopping for basic foodstuffs, accessing training or employment or socialising. While loneliness and social isolation are not the same thing, both are closely related and […]

Breaking the silence on mental health

According to Defra’s Statistical Digest of Rural England, if you live in the countryside your life expectancy increases and you are less likely to die prematurely from cancer, stroke or coronary heart disease. On average, people born in very rural areas will live up to two years longer than those in major urban area. While […]

How to ensure government ‘thinks rural’

Back in 2010, the government set out a number of policy commitments which were intended to have a direct impact on the countryside. With aspirations to turn old thinking on its head and develop new approaches, the ‘Programme for Government’ set out proposals for the devolution of power and greater financial autonomy to local government […]

So just how do we define ‘rural’?

According to the Office for National Statistics, some 43.7 million people in England (82.4% of the population) lived in urban areas (settlements of more than 10,000 people) in 2011. At the same time, 9.3 million people lived in rural areas (17.6% of the population) – defined as smaller towns (less than 10,000 people), villages, hamlets […]

A rural stake for our youngsters

Frozen out of getting a foot on the property ladder, the most economically active moving out, negative stereotyping and a lack of things to do and places to hang out – what does the future hold for young people? What support do they need to fulfil their potential? And what is the role of Government, […]

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Jessica Sellick

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