Rural Services Network

20/10/2026

Everyone should have the support they need to live independently in a place they call home.

This , we’re highlighting the importance of supported housing in rural communities, helping people stay close to family, friends and familiar places.

Find out more: https://housing.org.uk/supported-housing-week

14/10/2026

Funding to reduce historic SEND deficits will bring welcome relief to councils working to improve support for children and families.

For rural authorities, delivering that support involves particular challenges, including long travel distances, access to specialist staff and the availability of suitable local provision. Home-to-school transport remains a separate pressure on council budgets.

Our latest article looks at the funding announcements and why recognising these rural challenges matters in supporting councils to deliver their plans.

📌 Read more: https://rsnonline.org.uk/rural-send-funding-council-relief/



Cheshire East Council Devon County Council Essex County Council Oxfordshire County Council Staffordshire County Council

Funding to address historic SEND deficits will ease pressure on councils. We explore what reform plans mean for access to support in rural communities.

14/10/2026

For young people in rural areas, getting to work or training can be a challenge before the day has even begun.

The Transport Committee wants to hear how transport affects young people’s access to these opportunities.

It’s important that rural experiences are part of that picture.

📌 The survey closes at 11.59pm this Friday, 16 October.

Please take part or share with young people in your communities who may wish to contribute.

📌 Details and the survey link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=nt3mHDeziEC-Xo277ASzSugWXtlS9G1OpuyhNtc2h8lUNjRDUTdTVFBNQTQ3SzJLS1c3V1RVUU1ONSQlQCN0PWcu

13/10/2026

What will devolution mean for rural communities?

Devolution was a recurring theme at this year’s Labour Party Conference, alongside housing and the need for growth to reach all parts of the country.

Our Chief Executive, Kerry Booth, reflects on the discussions in Liverpool and what they could mean for the people and organisations delivering services in rural areas.

Read Kerry’s reflections: www.rsnonline.org.uk/rural-devolution-labour-party-conference/

Kerry Booth reflects on the National Rural Conference and why rural realities must be understood if national ambitions are to work in every place.

12/10/2026

We’re on board for CTWeek26! From 12–16 October 2026, we’ll be joining the Community Transport Association and communities across the UK to celebrate the difference Community Transport makes.

This year’s theme is Driving Communities Forward, celebrating the drivers, volunteers, staff and organisations who keep communities moving every day.

We’re proud to stand alongside the organisations that keep communities connected and help people access healthcare, education, work, volunteering, social activities and essential local services. In rural areas, where transport options can be limited, community transport can make a real difference.

06/10/2026

Rural Market Town Group members: join us this Thursday!

Hear from Rosie Mahoney, Youth Community Development Officer at Barnstaple Town Council, who will share how to set up a Town Youth Council through a youth work lens.

Share ideas, learn from fellow councils and help strengthen the collective voice of rural market towns.

📌Thursday 8 October | 4.30–5.30pm | Online via Zoom

🎟️Open to RMTG member councils

Book your place here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/V1d1txM6QeWIvVmY3m_LuA #/registration

06/10/2026

Did you join us for the National Rural Conference 2026?

If so, we would love to hear your feedback. Our short survey should only take a few minutes.

Tell us what worked well and what we could improve to help shape next year’s conference.

Complete the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RSNConf26

Thank you for sharing your views!

29/09/2026

𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐫𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝.

Following our National Rural Conference, we have written an open letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, reflecting the priorities shared by RSN members, speakers and partners.

We are asking the Government to act on six connected priorities: rural growth, fair funding, the cost of living, affordable homes, connectivity and policies that work in every kind of place.

Rural needs must be considered from the outset as decisions are made about growth, investment and public services.

That means meaningful rural proofing, measures that show whether progress is reaching rural communities, and a strong rural voice in local growth plans.

➡️ Read our article and open letter: https://rsnonline.org.uk/open-letter-to-the-prime-minister-good-growth-must-reach-rural-england/

The RSN urges the Prime Minister to ensure good growth reaches rural England through fair funding, housing, connectivity and rural proofing.

29/09/2026

🚨Last chance to book: RVSG Annual Meeting this Thursday

Rural Village Services Group members are invited to join us online on Thursday 1 October at 4.30pm.

The meeting is a chance for parish councils to connect, share good practice and help develop a collective voice for rural villages. There will also be an open forum to discuss the issues and opportunities facing your communities.

The meeting is open to all RVSG members and is particularly aimed at parish councillors who are Main Nominated Contacts.

➡Book your place: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/IesfigEFS0S3k98gSSLFqw #/registration

21/09/2026

What should the future of adult social care look like?

The Big Conversation on Care is giving people across England a direct say in how care should work, who it should support and how it should be funded.

More than 7,700 ideas have already been submitted.

The conversation has now moved into its next stage, with people invited to vote on those proposals by 23 September.

It is vital that rural voices are part of this discussion. Distance, workforce shortages, limited transport and the higher cost of delivering services can all shape people’s experiences of care in rural communities.

📌 Find out more and take part: https://caseycommission.co.uk/bigconversation/

Share your ideas, vote on other people's suggestions and join the online conversation about the future of adult social care.