Rural network. support. Guide. Yorkshire Humber. support for the voluntary and community sector.

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1 Rural Action Yorkshire Humber and Wolds Rural Community Council Working together Rural network support Guide Rural network support for the voluntary and community sector

2 Guide influence inform strengthen connect Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Forum seeks to place the voluntary and community sector at the heart of our society. We link voluntary action across Yorkshire and the Humber to help create a vibrant and inclusive region with a high quality of life for all who live and work here. 2 Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Forum was established in 1997 is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee is funded by Big Lottery Fund, Capacity Builders, Yorkshire Forward and other sources Guides for the voluntary and community sector in Yorkshire and the Humber We publish this series of guides as straightforward reference information on networks, structures, agencies and support services across Yorkshire and the Humber. They are designed to help people within the voluntary and community sector link up with each other and find appropriate agencies outside the sector. They will help people in the statutory or private sectors, and the media, find appropriate voluntary or community sector organisations, and increase understanding of the sector as a whole. As well as this guide, the series currently comprises

3 3 Rural network support Rural network support for the voluntary and community sector This guide will give you an introduction to the Yorkshire and Humber Rural Networks and an overview of what they aim to achieve. The Regional Rural Network (developed jointly by Humber and Wolds Rural Community Council, Rural Action Yorkshire and Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Forum) seeks to strengthen infrastructure services and improve the representation of the voluntary and community sector in rural areas at local and regional levels. There is a lead organisation for the Rural Networks in each of the sub-regions: Humber Humber and Wolds Rural Community Council North Yorkshire Ryedale Voluntary Action South Yorkshire Rural Action Yorkshire West Yorkshire Voluntary Action Calderdale Each of the Networks is funded by the Big Lottery Fund BASIS programme, which aims to ensure that voluntary and community organisations have access to high quality support that will help them be more effective. Key to symbols used in this guide: Works in: whole region, or specific sub-region(s) Membership organisation Offers direct services to organisations Network Voice/representation work

4 Guide 4 Humber and Wolds Rural Community Council (HWRCC) Works to improve the sustainability and vibrancy of rural communities across the sub-region, primarily in the East Riding of Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire. Supports and encourages rural communities to develop, so they can influence their own future and secure a range of community facilities and services. Tackles common issues such as housing, access to services and transport, and health and social care, which require innovative methods to overcome them in rural communities, especially the most isolated. Works at a strategic level with partner agencies including local authorities, Primary Care Trusts, police, fire and rescue services, and other voluntary and community sector organisations. Contact: Penny Brown t: e: [email protected] w: 14 Market Place, Howden, East Yorkshire, DN14 7BJ Rural Action Yorkshire Offers advice, support and information to help improve the quality of life of the people who live and work in rural communities in North, South and West Yorkshire. Aims to ensure that rural issues and the rural voice are heard, acknowledged and addressed by decision and policy makers at all levels of government. Works with whole communities to develop existing skills and knowledge, and encourages them to have an input into how their local area and services are best managed. Works closely with other voluntary and statutory organisations. Contact: Bill Cross t: e: [email protected] w: Unit A, Tower House, Askham Fields Lane, Askham Bryan, York YO23 3NU

5 5 Rural network support Regional Rural Network A partnership between the Humber and Wolds Rural Community Council, Rural Action Yorkshire and Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Forum. Aims to bring together all voluntary and community organisations (VCOs) that have an interest in rural issues in the region. This helps to raise awareness among infrastructure organisations and networks whose primary focus is not rural, of the special needs and interests of front line groups working in rural areas. Improves communication between specialist rural VCOs and the wider voluntary and community sector (VCS) by working together to run joint rural focused projects in the region. Works with the Yorkshire and Humber sub-regional projects to deliver meaningful consultations with front-line rural groups about their needs, priorities and concerns. Informs and influences regional organisations, polices and structures to ensure that the voice of the rural VCS is listened to. Ensures there is an effective response to emerging policy papers affecting rural communities. Contact: Sophie Price / Danielle Firholz t: f: e: [email protected] / [email protected] w: c/o Yorkshire & the Humber Regional Forum, Suite D10, Joseph s Well, Hanover Walk, Leeds, LS3 1AB

6 Guide 6 North Yorkshire Rural Voice A three-year project developed by the Rural Working Group (a sub-group of the York and North Yorkshire Infrastructure Consortium) to work with voluntary and community sector (VCS) groups in the most remote rural areas of North Yorkshire. Aims to strengthen the influence that rural communities have on policy and services, improve access to support for the rural VCS groups in the sub-region, and strengthen the way in which infrastructure organisations working in rural areas of North Yorkshire deliver services together. Uses three key principles: clarity, consistency and collaboration. Contact: Sarah Bowden t: x 223 e: [email protected] w: c/o Rural Action Yorkshire, Unit A, Tower House, Askham Fields Lane, Askham Bryan, York YO23 3NU South Yorkshire Rural Network Enables rural voluntary and community groups to have a voice with local authorities and other public service providers, by identifying challenges such as access to services, rural isolation and the economic downturn. Responsible for organising networks, vital for the survival of isolated rural community groups, within each local authority. Membership is open (and free) to all voluntary and community groups who deliver services to rural communities in South Yorkshire. Quarterly meetings allow groups access to project partners in each of the four local authority areas. Project partners are Doncaster CVS, South Yorkshire Funding Advice Bureau, Together for Regeneration, Voluntary Action Barnsley, Voluntary Action Rotherham and Voluntary Action Sheffield. Contact: Melanie Swanwick t: / e: [email protected] w: c/o Voluntary Action Barnsley, The Core, County Way, Barnsley, S70 2JW

7 Rural network support Rural Partnership Plus Works to improve support services, representation and influence for voluntary and community organisations in the most isolated rural areas of East Yorkshire, North and North East Lincolnshire at a local and regional level. A partnership between Humber and Wolds Rural Community Council, Voluntary Action North East Lincolnshire and Voluntary Action North Lincolnshire which works with infrastructure bodies to help voluntary and community sector organisations build their capacity, skills and sustainability. Contact: Carole Johnson t: e: [email protected] c/o Humber and Wolds Rural Community Council, 14 Market Place, Howden, East Yorkshire, DN14 7BJ w: Contact: Celia Wangler t: e: [email protected] c/o Voluntary Action North Lincolnshire, Wilderspin National School, Queen Street, Barton on Humber, North Lincolnshire, DN18 5QP 7 Rural Infrastructure Support System A partnership project devised through West Yorkshire Local Development Agencies (WYLDA), covering all of rural West Yorkshire. Aims to ensure rural voluntary and community sector (VCS) groups have the rights skills, knowledge and support to provide effective services to our rural communities. Provides access to decisionmakers at all levels in the region, to gain influence. Helps the two-way flow of information between grass-roots organisations and key decision-makers. Contact: Andy Goff t: e: [email protected] c/o Voluntary Action Calderdale, The Resource Centre, Hall Street, Halifax, HX1 5AY Keeping up to date We aim to ensure that all information is accurate at the time of going to press. However, people and organisations move on, structures change, and networks develop. We strongly recommend that you check directly with the organisations concerned if up to date information is crucial to you. We will also keep our website as up to date as possible. We would be very grateful if you let us know of any changes.

8 Rural Action Yorkshire Humber and Wolds Rural Community Council Working together Yorkshire & the Humber Regional Forum Ltd Suite D10, Joseph s Well, Hanover Walk, Leeds LS3 1AB t: f: w: Registered Company: Registered Charity: January 2010