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 August 4pm

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

• In April we produced a village halls & community buildings FAQ for shutting down. We have now produced a second round of FAQs for the re-opening of village halls & community buildings. 
• The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health have produced useful guidance on legionella’s disease if your building has been mothballed for a while.
• On 30 June the government released the following document outlining guidance for the safe re-opening of community buildings and village halls: COVID-19: Guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities
• On 20 July ACRE released amended guidance for re-opening community buildings and village halls. The documents are below:
• ACRE information sheet updated 20 July
  Legionnaires guidance
  Appendix A – pre-opening checklist updated 4 July
  Appendix B- Pre-opening questionnaire updated 4 July
  Appendix C – Covid-19 secure poster updated 4 July
  Appendix D – Management of social distancing – a risk based approach updated 20 July
  Appendix E – Special conditions of hire updated 4 July
  Appendix F – Risk assessment for hall committees updated 20 July
  Appendix G – Risk assessment for hirers of community buildings updated 20 July
  Appendix H – Your Covid-19 First Aid Box 4 July
  Appendix I -Playground poster 4 July
  Appendix J – Performances in Village Halls and Community Buildings 20 July
  Appendix K Indoor and outdoor exercise and sport 20 July

• Allied Westminster issued a statement about insurance and village halls and community buildings.
• ACRE have released guidelines on the eligibility for support from the government for village halls and rural community buildings.
• Download venue posters from Public Health England.
• Further useful information can be found in our funding and financial advice section.

If you have a specific query please contact communitybuildings@communityfirstyorkshire.org.uk

Help for rural communities

• What’s the impact of Covid-19 outbreak on rural economies and communities? Read this briefing note from the Centre for Rural Economy at Newcastle University.
• Keeping rural communities connected: Rural Arts has launched RADISH – Rural Arts Daily Inspiration while Staying at Home.

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.