Rural Wellbeing Service
Living in rural communities can sometimes make it difficult to access the support you need. Many people don’t know where to go or who to speak to when they need help. Our Rural Wellbeing Service is here to bridge that gap. Our Rural Fieldworkers can visit your village, hall, community group, or event to speak with residents about the challenges they may be facing. We offer guidance, signpost individuals to the appropriate organisations, and even help establish new activities that can benefit your community.
This service builds on the success of our National Lottery-funded Rural Wellbeing Project, which ran from March 2015 to March 2019. Though the funding from the Big Lottery’s Reaching Communities programme has ended, we continue to offer support, advice, and signposting to residents in rural areas. Our aim is to help residents connect with the right services, whether that’s for their physical, mental, or social wellbeing. Our knowledgeable fieldworkers, are available to attend events and share their expertise, helping to connect individuals with other support agencies
Good Neighbour Schemes – A Key Part of Our Wellbeing Service
A key component of our Wellbeing Service is the Good Neighbour Scheme. If you’re interested in creating one in your community, we can explain the benefits and help you get started. From providing you with policies and training to offering guidance on setting up the scheme, they can help you bring people together to support each other.
The National Lottery Funded Rural Wellbeing Project
From March 2015 to March 2019, our Rural Wellbeing Project was funded by the Big Lottery’s Reaching Communities programme. The project’s aim was to reduce loneliness and isolation for people over 50 in rural Northamptonshire. This initiative helped people access services that improved their physical, mental, and financial wellbeing, while promoting stronger community engagement.
Key Learnings from the Project:
- Increasing Demand – The need for services like ours has grown, especially with austerity measures and cuts to transport and services. In November 2018 alone, we saw a 318% increase in requests for help.
- Community-Based Outreach – Visiting community halls and groups proved to be more effective than relying on the bulky and difficult-to-park Rural Information Centre (RIC), allowing us to reach more people and connect with those who need home visits.
- Partnership Working – Initially, some organizations hesitated to partner with us, but over time, the service has been embraced as an effective way to support people in rural areas.
- Building Local Capacity Through Good Neighbour Schemes – We found that establishing Good Neighbour Schemes was a game-changer, allowing local volunteers to support each other and build stronger, more resilient communities. In a consultation, 96% of residents said they supported the idea of more Good Neighbour Schemes.
Good Neighbour Schemes
Good Neighbour Schemes are run by local people who provide neighbourly support to others in need. Whether it’s offering practical help with tasks like shopping or driving, or providing emotional support through befriending, these schemes empower volunteers to give as much or as little time as they can. While they don’t offer professional care, they provide valuable support that helps people remain independent and reduces reliance on statutory health and care systems.
Over 30 schemes have been set up across Northamptonshire, and we are working to extend these services.
Get Involved:
If you’re interested in setting up a Good Neighbour Scheme or want to learn more, download our Introduction to GNS or contact us to get started.