Coronavirus: supporting rural communities

Support is available for rural and farming communities during the coronavirus pandemic. This page provides a summary of the latest information ranging from advice for rural or farming businesses, help for village halls and community buildings to signposting to funding sources for organisations helping rural communities at this time.

Page updated: 10 February 5pm

Rural communities

ACRE are the national voice for rural communities. We are a member of the ACRE network. ACRE has asked us, as well as all members of the network, to keep them posted of any problems that occur due to the lifting of coronavirus restrictions for the rural communities we support, particular in tourism hotspots. If you have any concerns or points you want to raise please get in touch info@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk.

Guidance for village halls and community buildings on reopening

Please see our ‘Reopening after lockdown‘ page (when applicable once lockdown restrictions announced in Jan 2021 are lifted).

Community Transport

• Community Transport Association (CTA) has guidance on how to restart services, face coverings, and supporting staff and volunteers plus much more.

Support for farmers

• Dairy farmers can apply for government funding of up to £10k to help them overcome the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
• NFU Mutual has launched a free health & safety telephone service and guidance to support farmers and their customers manage their risk during coronavirus.
• The Farm Safety Foundation has released an 8 page booklet ‘Staying Safe on the Farm – A Guide for Students‘.
• Respecting working farms: North Yorkshire County Council is urging people to keep to public footpaths and not put working farms at risk by walking across them.

Funding

• Village halls and community buildings can apply for a £10k Small Business Grant payment if they are receiving either Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) or Rural Rates Relief (RRR) in the business rates system.