Rural Action Derbyshire
| Church Street, Wirksworth, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 4EY | |
| Tel: | 01629 824797 |
| Email: | drcc@derbysrcc.org.uk |
| Web: | derbyshirercc.org.uk |
Rural Action Derbyshire (formerly Derbyshire Rural Community Council) is an independent organisation and registered charity supporting people in rural communities, villages and market towns across the county.
It works to achieve an improved quality of life, aiming to enhance the wellbeing of the people who live and work in rural Derbyshire and to ensure that they are not unduly disadvantaged.
Rural Action Derbyshire forms close partnership with other agencies to help Derbyshire’s rural communities tackle the challenges and opportunities they face – both now and in the future. It is part of Action with Rural Communities in Rural England (ACRE) - the national network of Rural Community Councils - and the East Midlands ACRE Network (EMAN).
Core Activities
Advice and support to voluntary and community groups on a wide range of activities, or referral to other support services.
Help to parish councils and communities to shape their own future by advising them on producing and developing community plans.
Practical advice and support on setting up community facilities and support for essential rural services.
Advice on rural transport and access to services.
Guidance on funding.
Professional guidance for village hall and community building management committees.
Professional assistance on establishing social / community enterprise.
Help in identifying potential solutions to local housing needs.
Work for the benefit of rural communities in partnership with government bodies and other partners at national and regional level, and with local authorities, Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) and voluntary sector organisations.
Projects
Village Halls and Community Buildings - advice and support for management committees of village halls and community buildings on such matters as trust deeds, leases, charitable status, insurance, legislation, grants and funding applications, training.
Parish Plans and Community Planning - contracted to support community planning, and in particlar to promote and support Parish Plans.
Youth and Community Development - two development workers have information on a wide range of issues relating to volunteer youth work and are available to help groups and support new projects.
Rural Business - assistance on legislation, trading standards, crime prevention, food initiatives, training and support.
Derbyshire County Training Partnership - provides and promotes training for parish and town council clerks and councillors, as an initiative under the National Training Strategy.
INVOLVE - Community Empowerment Network in Bolsover.
Management and Staff
Rural Action Derbyshire is a registered Charity and Company Limited by Guarantee. A small income is received from membership fees and sponsorship, but most of the funding derives from public sector partners - including Defra, Derbyshire County Council, all other local councils in the county, plus specific project management fees.
The acting Chief Executive Officer of Rural Action Derbyshire is Helen Lidgett, heading 24 further staff in teams that undertake the various project work and the running of Rural Action Derbyshire itself.
Premises
Rural Action Derbyshire is based in Wirksworth...
