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
In Borders we have been working with community gardens in the Peebles and Innerleithen area to make small parts of the gardens more dementia friendly. We have also produced a leaflet with details of all the community gardens in the area. You can find out more a download the leaflet from our blog.
ruralwisdom.org/2019/09/12/community-gardening-in-peebles-innerleithen/
A fabulous toolkit from the British Deaf Association for deaf people affected by dementia, whether as family carers or themselves. This innovative new pack will surely improve life for people living with these challenges. The toolkit is downloadable, with video links from bda.org.uk/dementia/
Please share with carers, professionals and anyone else who may benefit.
Support Choices recently held a 'How Does Highland Perthshire Care?' event with various stalls which offered information on all aspects of care in the Highland Perthshire area to local residents and networking opportunities.
You can read more about the event here: otbds.org/support-choices-event-how-does-highland-perthshire-care-2/
Support Choices Event: How Does Highland Perthshire Care? - Outside The Box
Support Choices is a project that helps people living in Perth and Kinross get the social care and support that they need. One of the …So pleased to see Community Connections continue on from the work of #RuralWisdom in North Angus and East RenfrewshireWhat do you think of our new project logo? It's for our exciting new Community Connections project in areas of East Renfrewshire and North Angus.
Learn more: otbds.org/projects/community-connections/
Community Connections has been funded by the Greater Renfrewshire & Inverclyde Leader Grant programme through The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas
Earlier this year, Rachel wrote about how she created a 'What's On' newsletter for the community where she was working - Milford Haven. We're now pleased to show you the new work created after a local youth charity took it on.
Rachel said: "So delighted to see the lovely job Milford Youth Matters are making of 'What's On', having taken the reins from Volunteering Matters in April.
Thanks to their huge efforts in securing local business sponsorship, the publication is washing its own face... and with the great work of Milford's young people, it looks vibrant and interesting, with photos by the young people featuring prominently."
Read Rachel's original post: ruralwisdom.org/2018/12/06/whats-on-the-power-of-information/