Rural Wisdom...

...the project that listens to the voices of local people and empowers them to lead change in rural communities across the UK. The five-year project was funded to run 2017 - 2022, working alongside nine rural areas across Scotland and Wales. Part of the Rural Wisdom legacy is a strong, growing network of people, groups, and organisations that continue to support each other and champion rural community-led action. 

Some of our achievements include

• Listening to over 4,100 older people in rural areas and embracing their ideas, big and small 
• Helping new community groups get started and existing ones keep going, through COVID and beyond
• Delivering over £422,000 of funding for local activities in a range of rural communities 
• Contributing to policy making to ensure long-lasting national impact 
• Bringing people together in a network of connected communities across the UK 

Listening to rural communities

Throughout the 5-year project, Rural Wisdom created spaces for older people and others in rural communities to have a say. We complemented and supported all routes for people to contribute their views and ideas. We championed issues that mattered to older people living in rural communities, even though they may not have been traditionally be thought of as older people’s issues. As the project progressed a wider range of people, of all ages, got involved. 

Supporting age friendly communities

Rural Wisdom helped people come up with practical solutions that still continue to make life easier for people. We got new things started and support existing activities to adapt. We used our platforms and connections to showcase the many ways in which older people contribute to their communities. This helped people to find more ways to lead and supported others to get involved along the way.

Sharing learning

Rural Wisdom was specifically designed to evolve and grow over the five years it was funded. People told us about the positive impact that was made through our shared learning. It created more opportunities for people to support, encourage, and learn from each other across communities. We continue to offer space for people to hear about what is happening in other areas and learn from what other people find useful. We make connections and work with new and existing partners who are working on issues that matter to people living in rural areas. Check out our events page to find out about our latest webinars and networking events. 

Get in touch

While the project itself has now come to an end we're still keen to connect with others to continue these important conversations. If you have a story about a local rural community initiative, multigenerational community events, or something that has had a positive impact for people living in rural spaces, we want to hear from you! Get in touch with us via our contact form, on 0141 419 0451, or via email at hello@ruralwisdom.org. 

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