ruralnet|uk news

ruralnet|uk publishes vision for the future of rural services

Access to services for deprived and socially excluded rural people will continue to decline unless we start thinking and doing things differently. In the vision published today, ruralnet|uk's Chief Executive, Simon Berry says,

"We need new paradigms for rural service delivery that focus more on the integrated needs of service users and less on the 'needs' of service suppliers.

"Although ICT is revolutionising service delivery we still need appropriate locations within rural communities to deliver the physical elements of essential services."

CBN Goes Independent

The Community Broadband Network has moved into its second phase of development as an independent co-operative of local broadband projects and their supporters. Project partner ruralnet|uk will continue to play a key role in CBN providing on-line technology and support and running the CBN DirectSupport mentoring service for rural communities.

ruralnet|2004 continues online

More than 220 delegates and 28 exhibitors attended the ruralnet|2004 conference in Maidstone last week and the networking and access to support and expertise now continues online through ruralnet|online.

"We are pleased that ruralnet|2004 maintained the vibrancy, engagement and active participation of previous years. Again, it was more about new ideas, inspiration and motivation than the delivery of information," said ruralnet|uk Chief Executive, Simon Berry.

Fiona Mactaggart starts the ruralnet 2004 conference off on the right footing

Supporting grassroots rural community workers, who are often the most disadvantaged by service closure, ruralnet 2004 aims to stimulate thinking on practical ways to inject new ideas into the way that services are delivered in rural areas in the future, through presentations, workshops and debate.

A keynote address by Fiona Mactaggart MP on day one started the event off on a high. The Home Office minister with responsibility for community cohesion, civil renewal and active communities, she used the opportunity to outline the support available to those involved in service delivery and the Government's work to encourage partnership with the voluntary and community sector.