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: 18 May 2020 2pm

Rural communities

ACRE are the national voice for rural communities. Find out what they have been doing to help here.

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. In the meantime, read ACRE’s blog on the lifting of restrictions.

Guidance for village halls and community buildings

• We’ve produced a Village Halls & Community Buildings FAQ which aims to answer your questions from hall closures and funding, to building works and insurance.
• Allied Westminster has updated 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.
• 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

• Rural Response Emergency Grants from the Prince’s Countryside Fund: a £2.5K grant is available for farming and rural community support groups, who are helping to counter the effects of isolation during the coronavirus pandemic
• 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.