A ruralnet|uk conference plenary session by The Countryside Agency will be complemented by the presence of a 'mobile multi service outlet' vehicle (an example of the success of the MSO concept), it was confirmed today.
Keystone Multi Mobile, Norfolk
The specially designed vehicle was developed as part of a Countryside Agency demonstration project to tackle poor access to services and poor public transport in the South Norfolk region. The Keystone Community Partnership, a Development Trust, leads the regeneration programme providing the vehicle, which can be used flexibly to meet a range of needs in different locations, taking services to people in their local area and improving access to more centrally based services.
The vehicle can be converted to suit a range of activities, can carry different sets of equipment and has a drop-down side that can be turned into an outdoor stage. It is available for use by a range of community groups and has already been used by Age Concern, Norfolk Adult Education Service and Social Services.
This concept will be one of three demonstration projects described in the session titled, 'Against The Odds – An MSO Success Story' which will focus on the key success factors, the barriers encountered implementing the projects and how these were overcome. This will be followed by an opportunity to pose questions.
Project Manager of The Keystones Mobile Project, Matt Deal said, 'This will be a good opportunity to show that the MSO concept not only works in theory, but is a practical solution to the issue of access to essential services in rural areas'.
Church 'Doctor'
Ms. Rowe is a consultant who advises church groups on the feasibility of using their buildings for community activities and to help raise money. This advice may include, for example, using a building to host orchestras, art shows or even badminton games.
The reality is that many churches cannot afford to care for aging buildings without additional income and unless they are used more than one day a week, their survival is in doubt. Ms. Rowe works to get church groups to think like a business so they can become more accountable – a lot of churches allow buildings to be used for community activities at no charge, despite the costs such as lighting and cleaning.
Some of Ms. Rowe's projects to date include:
St. Mary's, Ludborough, Lincolnshire – The church nave has been re-floored with heating and the nave is used as a village facility for everything from parties to badminton.
All Saints, Whitby , Yorkshire – The nave has been cleared of pews and re-floored for daily use by the village school for drama, music and assemblies because the school has no hall.
Holy Trinity, Holmfirth, Yorkshire – the choir vestry of the church has been converted into a cyber café for the local teenagers.
About the additional developments to the conference programme, ruralnet|uk Chief Executive Simon Berry said, 'The Countryside Agency mobile service vehicle and Susan Rowe's church community projects are both inspiring examples of how the MSO concept really does work in practice and their presence will be a real highlight of the already high-quality conference programme. I hope attendees will look around the vehicle, ask questions and make full use of the interactive nature of the event.'
Notes to editors
1. For further details go to: www.ruralnetuk.org/conference or call the booking helpline on 0845 1300 411.
2. For further details on The Countryside Agency Demonstration projects including Keystone 'Multi Mobile' go to: http://www.countryside.gov.uk/EssentialServices/services/JointSP.asp
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