Welcome to Rural Wisdom.
Many older people in the UK live in rural communities. Rural Wisdom is working to make rural communities work well for people as we get older and for other people who live there.
The project began in 2017. Since then we have been busy working with communities in Scotland and Wales to support community action led by older people. In 2019 we are spreading into new areas.
These are some of the things that have happened.
- Over 3,200 people are involved in Rural Wisdom.
- We’ve helped new groups get started and existing ones keep going. The activities and groups that are happening in the local areas are benefitting thousands more people.
- We’ve brought in an additional £370,000 for local activities in the first areas, plus a lot of help-in-kind resources from people, groups and businesses.
- We’ve given older people in rural areas another way to have a voice. We’ve contributed to plans at the Welsh Assembly Government, Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament, UK Government and House of Lords, as well as to local plans.
- We’re raising the experiences and the contributions of older people in rural areas on transport, housing, reducing social isolation, access to care and support, working to keep shops and local services, and developing the rural economy.
- We are part of networks that bring together people in rural areas in Scotland, Wales and across the rest of the UK.
- Other organisations are beginning to do more for people in rural areas now they hear how people want the services and see how it can be done.
Throughout the Rural Wisdom project, its important that we hear, gather & share stories of what’s happening & what’s working well across the country.
Please get in touch if there’s something you know of which you think should be showcased and shared. Below are a few hints for the kind of examples we are looking for:
- something starting from the experiences and views of older people
- something which shows the impacts for people living in a rural community
- something which is focused on older people, or is intergenerational / involves the whole community
- something which has been developed and managed by older people
- something which people in other areas might learn from
Keep up with what's happening on our local area pages, via our blog and by signing up to the Rural Wisdom newsletter.
Get in touch:
- hello@ruralwisdom.org
- 0141 419 0451
- 3.10 / The Whisky Bond / 2 Dawson Rd / Glasgow / G4 9SS
“The Rural Wisdom project will ensure that older people in both Scotland and Wales will have their voices heard about things which matter most to them.
It is a great example of how National Lottery funding can make a real difference to people’s lives and specifically the lives of older people living in rural communities.
I am sure that it will bring many benefits to those involved, including boosting confidence and skills and empowering older people to participate in and shape activities within their local areas.”
Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair, Maureen McGinn
We are currently recruiting for maternity cover for our Project Worker in Dunkeld. What to know what it's like being a Project Worker for Outside the Box before you apply?
Here is a blog all about the role.... otbds.org/so-whats-it-like-being-a-project-worker-at-outside-the-box/
So, what’s it like being a Project Worker at Outside the Box? - Outside The Box
So, what’s it like being a Project Worker at Outside the Box? As Project Worker for the North Team at Outside the Box, I am …In case you missed it...
Transport in rural areas is something that comes up again and again. That's why we organised an event in the Scottish Borders to discuss solutions used in other areas. Watch our project worker, Christine on ITV Border talking about this important issue.
And find out more about the event here: ruralwisdom.org/2019/06/26/lets-talk-transport-in-borders/
Twelve months on, the café is still well supported and is now self-sufficient. We have an excellent team of regular volunteers, but there is room for a few more, especially when people go on a holiday or are unwell."
Happy 1st birthday to the Sunshine Cafe in Leeswood!
Leeswood Sunshine Cafe Celebrates its 1st Birthday – Rural Wisdom
by Shereen Devine, When I talk about Leeswood, I often refer to Sunshine Café, and I wonder if I do this too much; however, it is a big part of the community and the Rural Wisdom project. On the 9th May, the Café celebrated its 1st birthday, and I feel it could not go by without a mention here. I ...In 2019, the Rural Wisdom project is spreading into new areas, including The Dale Peninsula in Wales.
The Dale Peninsula – Rural Wisdom
The Dale Peninsula The Dale Peninsula In the early part of 2019, four get-togethers were held on the Dale Peninsula to establish whether Rural Wisdom could be of use to the communities of Dale village, Marloes and St Ishmaels. From Dale, it is over 10 miles both to Haverfordwest and to Milford Haven...We are recruiting a Project Worker to provide maternity cover from our Dunkeld base to support our Rural Wisdom and Support Choices teams.
For more info and how to apply, visit the Outside the box website here: otbds.org/were-recruiting-in-dunkeld/