UK: new guide for ‘rural friendly’ voluntary organisations

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) is aiming to encourage more community and voluntary sector organisations to make their work more accessible to rural communities in the UK. It has launched a new guide, entitled Access all areas ? meeting the needs of rural communities, that explains why organisations should ?rural proof? their work and provides advice and guidance on how it can be achieved. It also highlights the key differences between urban and rural communities that organisations should recognise. Stuart Burgess, Chair of the Commission for Rural Communities said: “Much of national and rural policy is developed with the needs of the majority of the population in mind. In England, this is overwhelmingly in towns and cities. This means that policy makers and legislators need to be encouraged to pay particular attention to rural needs and circumstances. The ?Access all Areas? guide will encourage and promote the importance of rural proofing to the Third Sector and beyond.” www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/ruralproofing