The Rural Services Network is grateful to the range of organisations providing support or sponsorship to the National Rural Conference to help make it the ‘go to’ event for those working in rural areas

Recently launched and open for bookings from members of the Rural Services Network, it focuses on ‘Levelling Up to Revitalise Rural’ and features a range of expert speakers talking on a number of key issues for rural communities including the Rural Economy, Rural Digital Connectivity, Rural Health and Care, Rural Affordable Housing and Rural Transport and Decarbonisation.

There is a dedicated session, an Audience with a Minister featuring Lord Benyon, along with a panel discussion on the challenges facing Young People in Rural Areas. 

The organisations providing support to the conference are below:

(Click on their logo for more information about them)

NICRE – National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise

NICRE collaborates, researches and co-designs ideas and solutions to foster rural enterprise and unlock the potential in the UK’s rural economies.

They are a powerful and unique hub of innovation, research excellence, knowledge exchange and impact. They focus on:

• Undertaking and commissioning new research to fill gaps in current knowledge of rural enterprise and innovation
• Developing practical solutions with businesses, rural communities and economic development agencies
• Providing evidence to inform better policy and support for rural businesses

NICRE work with a variety of stakeholders to take part in research and catalyse change to build stronger, more resilient rural communities.

BT

Helping you do more for less

Local government organisations are under increasing pressure. Although you’re being asked to reduce costs, you’re expected to deliver economic growth, while improving the quality of your services. But technology can help.

With the right technology partner, you can accelerate the flow of information between people and organisations. By driving efficiencies and improving collaboration, we can help you do more for less. Quickly and securely. And that will have a big impact on the lives of your people, and the citizens you serve.

For rural communities, the opportunities created by digital are huge – so we need to think beyond smart cities and get to smart rural too.  Independent research, recently commissioned by BT, and available here demonstrates some of these benefits and how we can best realise them.

NALC – National Association for Local Councils

Established in 1947, the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) is a membership organisation and the only national body representing England's 10,000 local (parish and town) councils and 100,000 councillors. NALC works in partnership with 43 county associations to support, promote and improve local councils.

NALC provides a national voice for local councils by campaigning on their behalf, raising awareness of their work, and providing them with a range of services to support their needs.

We believe local councils across the whole country will be the centre of community effort, the natural focus of a range of public activity and service delivery, giving a democratic voice to those communities in other agencies' deliberations working in partnership with them. Vibrant, dynamic and effective local councils will help communities help themselves build strength and resilience and improve residents' quality of life.

We will achieve our vision through our four strategic aims; strong national voice promoting the sector, creating more local councils in England, supporting local councils and councillors, and working effectively with county associations and other stakeholders.

National Farmers Union (NFU)

‘Levelling up’ Rural Britain

An ambitious and revolutionary approach to levelling up rural Britain can create jobs, boost green economic growth, increase exports and improve the wellbeing of the entire nation, as highlighted in the NFU’s Levelling Up report.

‘Levelling up rural Britain’, highlights how British farming and rural Britain can provide the solution to many of the challenges the nation faces by driving sustainable food production and pioneering food policy that produces carbon-neutral food.

It also showcases how rural Britain is uniquely placed to help the recovery of the nation from Covid-19, delivering physical and mental health through the farmed landscape – which has been a lifeline for so many during lockdown – and supporting the return to whole-food cooking with nutritious, sustainable and affordable British food.

The report says that no one should be disadvantaged by where they live or where their business is based.

Trent and Dove Housing Association

We offer well maintained, affordable homes across East Staffordshire, South Derbyshire, and North West Leicestershire.

Over 6,000 properties, ranging from sheltered accommodation to family homes and everything in between.