‘A privilege to work with individuals and groups’
For rather more years than I care to remember I worked at Action Hampshire. Recently I have been reflecting on what I did as a Rural Officer (perhaps age-related?). No two days were the same which made life so enjoyable and interesting.
The focus of community development is to support individuals and groups to achieve what it is they want to do. Over the years this meant being involved with housing needs surveys, parish mapping initiatives, community led and inclusive planning, supporting village retailers and helping with community owned shops, pubs and transport projects. What has stayed with me is the amazing can-do approach of individuals and groups in Hampshire’s villages. The majority of residents weren’t interested in Rural White Papers or Rural Strategies. They just wanted to get on and do something positive to address a local problem or issue that was affecting theirs, and others, life and well-being.
Of course, it helped when communities were able to access funding through grant schemes both national and local – think Rural Action for environmental projects, the curiously named Vital Villages Programme or support for village retailers. Often, though, funding wasn’t an issue and it was community spirit, resourcefulness, volunteers and neighbours, and (sometimes) a local benefactor that came together to successfully deliver a project. We saw this local resilience come to a fore in 2020 when Hampshire’s rural residents, rather than waiting for national initiatives to start, rolled up their sleeves and got on with what was needed.
The biggest change while I was at Action Hampshire resulted from the rapid development of technology. This changed the way we and others worked and how services were delivered. Who would believe now that our first mobile phones were kept in large wooden “suitcases” (definitely for emergencies only)? Technology brought huge benefits to residents in rural Hampshire but I was always aware that there were reasons why some were not able to access or use this technology. I hope the playground projects, the community owned shops, the minibus schemes I was involved with will continue to help address isolation and provide a community hub– alongside, of course, the village hall.
It was a privilege to work alongside so many inspirational individuals and groups in Hampshire’s rural communities.
Follow this link to find out more about the Rural Community Council
