Hidden Somerset: Rural Isolation

Rural Isolation Rural Realities

In the According to Somerset Joint the 2011 census, 40% of Somerset’s Strategic Needs 48% of people in population live in The proportion of Assessment of 2015 Somerset lived in a England’s 20% most households without a only 5% of women felt rural area, compared deprived areas for car in Somerset is less that they were able to to 18% in England as geographical barriers than 1 in 5 spend their time as a whole they liked

Somerset is 88% of 94% of young The ability to one of the most rural Somerset’s roads people consulted access online services counties in England, are categorised as in 2015 stated that has been attributed to with a population ‘rural’ compared transport was their the growth in young density of 1.5 people per with 64% in Great number one barrier people’s loneliness hectare, compared to Britain as a whole to accessing being higher than any a national average opportunity* other age group of 4.1

* Source: Rurality and Young People, Somerset Rural Youth Project 2015 Somerset Community Foundation 01 Hidden Somerset: Rural Isolation

Introduction Hidden Somerset is a series of short reports looking at aspects of life in Somerset that are often hidden from view. They are designed to stimulate debate, understanding and, in particular, help inspire new and better philanthropy. We have consciously started with an issue that cuts across so many others but has been a recurring theme in our work: rural isolation. Rural isolation is a form of disadvantage in its own right, but it also exacerbates the hardships and difficulties many people face. Perhaps it is the ultimate ‘hidden’ issue. Can you really see or measure, for example, how living in the so-called rural idyll amplifies a person’s mental health condition? Somerset Community Foundation is well placed to produce these reports. We are producing them to lift the lid on important issues and help illustrate the special role philanthropy can play in our county by tackling serious disadvantage and poverty. Our independence and cause-neutrality means we can look at different issues objectively. We can draw on the insights of local organisations working on the frontline in the heart of our communities, to complement – and maybe sometimes contradict – official statistics. Finally, we have prepared this report from a particular perspective; it is important to acknowledge that, for the majority of people, the upsides of rural life far outweigh the downsides, and indeed many of the best initiatives that help people overcome isolation are born out of vibrant communities.

Justin Sargent Chief Executive, Somerset Community Foundation Somerset Community Foundation 02 Hidden Somerset: Rural Isolation The Rural Idyll?

There are many good things about living in the countryside: the Challenges for those living or working in rural areas1 natural environment, a sense of community, feelings of safety, and l a lack of traffic noise and pollution all appeal. Social isolation l According to the 2011 census, 48% of people in Somerset Poor mobile signals or broadband lived in a rural area, compared to 18% in England as a whole. l Reliance on private or community transport With a population density of 1.5 people per hectare, compared l Difficulty in accessing services and for service providers to to a national average of 4.1, Somerset is one of the most reach the people rural counties in England. In the west of Somerset, the density l Lack of appropriate housing, especially for young people who decreases further to just 0.5, and over one third of Somerset wish to stay in Somerset council wards have a population density of less than 1 per hectare. l Fuel poverty and higher upfront costs for fuel and transport The rurality of Somerset is key to its beauty. The diverse which has a major financial impact on the less well-off geography, from the wilds of Exmoor, to the dramatic north Somerset coastline, to the tranquillity of the levels and the beauty l Lower expectations of work and further education prospects of the Mendip Hills, are key attractions for those who live here. l Increased vulnerability to effects of shrinking public sector However, the beauty of the landscape masks the challenges faced budgets by those who live in rural areas. Roughly 40% of Somerset’s 1 Identified by the Somerset Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, 2015 population live in England’s 20% most deprived areas for geographical barriers. Most ‘Lower Layer Super Output Areas’ (LSOAs) in the district are among the 20% most deprived in the Drivers of isolation in rural areas2 country for barriers to housing and services. l Lack of transport The Somerset Joint Strategic Needs Assessment in 2015 focused on l Lack of services and local amenities the impact on the health and wellbeing of those who live or work l in rural areas. While the challenges they identified are unlikely to be Financial hardship a surprise, it is telling that four years later, our survey – which asked l Health recipients to identify and rank drivers of isolation – indicates that l Care obligations little has changed. Living rurally is a life choice for some and a family l Housing/house prices heritage for others, but the barriers to accessing essential services affect people of all ages and, to some extent, all backgrounds. l Poor broadband or mobile phone signal for many These barriers have an acute impact on an individual’s socio- 2 Identified by Somerset Community Foundation’s Hidden Somerset Survey, 2019 economic status, life chances, health and wellbeing. Rural isolation and loneliness can affect anyone, regardless of age or social status. Somerset Community Foundation 03 Hidden Somerset: Rural Isolation Causes of Isolation

The challenge of getting around

Transport is consistently stated Combined with the difficulty as the principal barrier to in accessing alternative improved quality of life for transport are the implications people living in rural areas. of its cost. Although over 65s Unsurprisingly, improving are entitled to free bus travel, Feedback from VCSE access to transport is seen young people who need to “In most of the villages organisations in our survey 1 as the best way to do this. access key county towns we support there is no indicates that creative With a poor public transport such as Taunton, Yeovil or transport available. solutions, often community infrastructure there is a Bridgwater for apprenticeships There is a local minibus led, are needed. In one small compelling need for a privately have to pay full price, and this service but children community in the west of owned vehicle. The proportion cost can be prohibitive for Somerset, public bus services of households without a car those on low incomes or who aren’t allowed on these. In the other areas we have been cut completely. in Somerset is less than 1 in have families. The community believes that 5 in most of the countryside, support, transport is a not having access to private although of course not all “I have been chairman limited bus service which transport has psychological members of the household of Evercreech Friendship isn’t beneficial to use in and logistical impacts on will have access to it at once. Club for over 15 order to access work or residents. The village of Communities in the rural years and lack of social activities, and is Roadwater, like many other western region of Somerset, transportation is my often too expensive for a villages in Somerset, has its for example, are particularly own thriving community shop isolated. In parts of Exmoor, number one problem. family to use.” If I can get transport to Survey respondent to try to bring services back households can be on average into communities. This, they around 40 minutes by public pick up the elderly (even believe, could be developed transport from their nearest those who live a short Much of rural Somerset relies further. food store and 50 minutes distance away) I could on community transport from a GP. schemes – which offer straight away increase “We are committed minibus provision or lifts There are around 2,700 the number of members, to improving services women and 900 men aged 65 from volunteer drivers – and especially those who are within the village to or over living in rural villages neighbourly offers of help. on their own (current However, there remain further develop our with no access to transport. membership is 40). We Only 5% of women in many gaps and a lack of own economy. We Somerset felt they were able could then also support coordination. Our survey would like to think of to spend their time as they the surrounding villages for this report suggests that a future in which we liked and widowed women are at our meetings. We existing transport – public and could also develop link often left unable to drive once use Mendip Community community – excludes many transportation for a community members because their spouse or partner dies. Transport (at a cost of number of people in of the times of the day it runs, The issue also affects young £28 per journey) but an environmentally people in rural areas who are its cost, the routes it takes they can only pick up conscious fashion.” seeking to access employment and restrictions on age of members on a dedicated passenger. Survey respondent or education. 94% of young route so as to arrive at people consulted in 2015 from Roadwater stated that transport was the meetings on time.” their number one barrier to Survey respondent accessing opportunities. 1 Hinkley Point C Mitigation Fund Research and Consultation 2017, The Community Council for Somerset & Clarity CIC. 2 Somerset Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, 2015 3 Rurality and Young People, Somerset Rural Youth Project, 2015 Somerset Community Foundation 04 Hidden Somerset: Rural Isolation

Causes of Far away from opportunity A lack of opportunity within opportunities, social activities rural areas for learning and and engagement, and access Isolation employment is a barrier that to better services would can seem too great to be all encourage families to overcome, not only to those move to, or remain in, the transitioning into further area, instead of it perhaps education or first employment. becoming somewhere that is For adults seeking to develop seen as a location in which to their skills or improve their job retire in older age. A Somerset chances, the opportunities university could encourage to access local education students, workers and opportunities are limited. employers to migrate to the The loss of local services A report by the Local area and would be aspirational Government Association in for local young people. The lack of services and 2017 points to evidence being amenities was, according to our Therefore, it is not only a examined at the University survey, the second biggest driver lack of access to learning and of East Anglia that suggests of isolation. According to Office employment opportunities. that there may be hidden for National Statistics data, The need for social unemployment and under- there are 110 fewer pubs – engagement opportunities employment in rural areas acknowledged community hubs is something cited by many. with higher levels of low-paid – in Somerset, than in 2001. There is a need to build rural seasonal work. Young people communities, relevant for all Reduced budgets within the living in rural areas appear to ages, that will attract and public sector have meant that have been disproportionately retain a younger demographic. local services have faced cuts affected by unemployment The gradual decline of or closure: the economics following the financial crisis community, as families and of providing a service for 30 of 2007. young people are forced to people in a town, compared Many of the organisations we move closer to services and to two people in a village, surveyed felt that providing amenities, is one of the big being insurmountable opportunities to overcome risks of rural isolation. obstacles for policymakers. the barriers of access are Bringing these services back If barriers prevent people key to their beneficiaries. to communities through the accessing these elsewhere, Solutions to help reduce voluntary sector was seen as they have to be provided isolation could include better a solution. Creating shared within the community, for work opportunities and ways to deliver services and the community and by the improved wages and childcare, pool organisational resources community. The voluntary and allowing and encouraging could be a way of meeting These approaches are not community sector is uniquely more parents to work. Adult needs and managing the unusual and they are effective. placed to facilitate this. learning and employment inevitable financial costs. Other Nationally and internationally respondents felt that better we have seen the increase of use could be made of existing community libraries in unused community facilities, such as spaces to replace public village halls, which could be services; telephone boxes often utilised to provide support. become the vessel for donated books which people take and replace at their leisure. They are run on trust and dependent on goodwill. While not a ‘mobile library’, they are illustrative of the social capital and resources that exist within every community and can be mobilised with support. Somerset Community Foundation 05 Hidden Somerset: Rural Isolation

Cut off from contact

Interestingly, poor broadband has more than tripled and other places to do this. There or mobile signal was bottom of now represents over 60,000 are online distance learning “Young people’s the list of drivers of isolation, connections in the county. opportunities available at local emotional wellbeing according to those VCSE Although ‘black spots’ still colleges, and many of them are is being affected. Figures organisations who responded remain, and consistent free to access. Yet if amenities show the growth to our survey. Although coverage is not always allowing access to free Wi-Fi in young people’s reflective of the communities guaranteed in rural areas, do not exist in rural areas, and and areas in which respondents young people are unable to loneliness is higher than further consultation and any other age group.” to the survey work, it could shared feedback from the West access employment and skills Survey respondent be seen to signify a shift in Somerset Opportunity Area opportunities in order to derive opinion, and perhaps indicates indicates that the majority of an income to pay for mobile the success of various public people feel that broadband data, digital exclusion will and private initiatives to speed and mobile signal quality remain an issue in rural areas improve signal and broadband have drastically improved. of the county. speed. Ofcom reports that However, digital exclusion When asked what else could between 2014 and 2017 remains. Its focus has now improve isolation for the the number of broadband shifted to the cost of accessing communities they worked with, connections in Somerset under these services, whether that one organisation identified the 2mbs more than halved with is paying for data on your need for young people to be the number of connections mobile phone or the ability to able to access services and the under 10mbs dropping access Wi-Fi for free. Many dangers of them feeling ‘out of dramatically. The number young people, for example, touch’. of connections over 30mbs depend on going to cafés and Somerset Community Foundation 06 Hidden Somerset: Rural Isolation Community

Solutions Creative Innovation Centre CIC (CICCIC) The power of art transforms people’s lives

“CICCIC will bring a variety of Action Alliance all concluded arts and cultural events to the there was significant value in communities of the Blackdown intergenerational events and Hills. We’ll provide a friendly, activities where families could exciting and safe environment come together, reducing rural where families, the elderly isolation issues and overcoming Exmoor Young Voices and the vulnerable can meet transport problems. Working Entrepreneurial survivors locally, building community with these organisations we cohesion and developing peer will reach over 500 people. “We set up Exmoor Young as ‘entrepreneurial survivors’ support networks, with all the One area where we need to Voices around five years who are working multiple attendant health and wellbeing do some more thinking, is ago because the National small jobs in the rural and outcomes that this can bring to how we reach those groups Park Authority wanted to tourism sectors. They work a predominantly isolated, older who are in care. Our project understand the issues that long hours, but remain population. manager will be visiting many young people were facing. dependent on their parents Activities, events and care homes in our area, to see Through our work with young for their accommodation. how this can be resolved. We’re told that the housing projects will include art people we’ve identified three workshops, theatrical shows We also anticipate we will key challenges that they face waiting lists are not that long, but that’s because systems like and live music; day-time create two new full-time when it comes to access to recreational workshops equivalent roles, employing services: Homefinder are often difficult to navigate and most young connecting with other support local artists and performers. 1. Connectivity, which extends people have no expectation of organisations; opportunities for These jobs will be targeted to transport, internet getting a house and don’t even intergenerational knowledge at young people living in access, and access to try to register. exchange activities, such the parishes where we are knowledge; as digital workshops; and delivering our work. We’re working to educate 2. Housing, which centres on developing community peer both young people and local This social investment has the affordability of both support projects such as stakeholders about these given us a great boost, giving renting and buying; transport share schemes, us the tools to work effectively issues. The voices of young singing for the brain, and 3. Low wages, which results towards our stated goals. All people are now being heard shopping buddies. from limited employment by decision makers at various in all we are in a much better opportunities. levels, agendas now reflect Initial meetings with local position.” groups such as the Blackdown To provide some context to issues that we raise, and Mark Bond, Manager, Support Group, Wellbeing these challenges, there are we’re beginning to see some Creative Innovation Centre Centre, Alzheimer’s Society 5,500 homes on Exmoor, but real partnerships developing. CIC and Taunton Dementia 1,000 are owned by absentee However, we need to find a landlords. In addition, many way for other bodies to say homes are holiday lets and ‘yes’ to the needs of young B&Bs. The number of young people if we’re going to people living here is declining change the pattern of outward and we think there are now migration. around 960 people aged 18–30 One example of this is some left. Outward migration from relaxation around the local the National Park has been planning regulations and our going on for some years, and work on self-build, as one is an issue repeated in National solution to young people’s Parks in other parts of the housing needs. We’re hoping country. This decline has led in the future to be able to help to schools closing and the young people with deposits for increasing isolation of those plots of land so they can begin young people who do remain. to build their own homes.” I would characterise the Leslie Silverlock, young people left in the Park Exmoor Young Voices Somerset Community Foundation 07 Hidden Somerset: Rural Isolation

WAP is very connected to “The community thinks the community and was WAP is theirs” established to respond to their needs. It is heart-warming Not only do the volunteer when we receive thank you drivers get to know regular cards from people who use Wiveylink users, the regulars WAPs services, and we were themselves have become recently delighted to be left friends and often book journeys a legacy which enabled us out together. Wiveylink runs to purchase a new vehicle days out in the summer for Wiveylink. Everyone at months which are always WAP enjoys giving to their booked up well in advance. community and bringing The loss of local bus services people together, and gaining has left people of all ages the appreciation expressed in Wiveliscombe Area Partnership without transport. The fact that return.” Enabling community connections Wiveylink can offer transport Pauline Homeshaw, that is accessible to those Chair, WAP “Wiveliscombe Area The merger of two local GP with significant mobility issues Partnership (WAP) was surgeries also shows how WAP is invaluable. Although the established in 2002 to is a voice for the community. majority of passengers are older connect an area known as When local people raised people, Wiveylink is for all ages. 10 parishes. WAP is based in concerns about how they Wiveliscombe Community would get to their new surgery Office and acts as a hub for and collect prescriptions, WAP the community, housing raised the issue with Somerset police and town councillor Partnership NHS Trust. The surgeries, the Village Agent, result was funding for another Village Agents – Community Council for Somerset Wivey Cares (a voluntary vehicle to provide a weekly Building resilience organisation that connects service delivering prescriptions volunteers and micro-provides and transporting patients to “Transport remains the biggest after a bereavement or loss of to local people) and a free legal the main surgery. challenge we encounter, which a job. In this way we are not clinic. It also has community is related to low incomes; turning people into service WAP also supports local and tourist information, whatever journey you take users, we’re turning them into enterprise by convening a local newspapers, photocopying costs money. But we’ve also resilient members of their own business group, and supports and printing services, produces seen an increase in ‘signposting community. It all starts with a new community initiatives. the bi-monthly publication culture’, where services are set simple question: what matters Wiveliscombe Messenger up to direct an isolated person to you? and organises the regular “There is a lack of to a service in the community. We currently have fifteen street market and bi-ennial transport so without This just isn’t a solution if you Village Agents embedded in 10 Parishes Festival. Wiveylink many people have, for example, mental various communities. Their can’t get to their health problems, drug or focus on relationships can “The community wanted hospital appointments, alcohol issues, or have suffered often be quite time consuming domestic abuse. Basic needs to keep their library and hairdressers, GP surgery, and so we would like to have must be addressed first, and we many more. Ultimately, the WAP was there and able shops or to visit family find many people need to build to be pro-active” and friends” aspiration is to have an Agent their confidence before they for every 10,000 people in can be signposted elsewhere. Somerset. Unfortunately, it WAP describes itself as a WAP established the Wiveylink The approach of our Village has been a struggle to find “supporter and enabler” for its Community Transport service Agents is quite different. We funding for the Village Agents community, illustrated by the which now covers 26 parishes, take a personalised approach project as each outcome is very recent library closure threat. including Taunton, Wellington, each time we meet someone personalised and not always Funding cuts meant that the Wiveliscombe and the and work with them to identify immediately obvious; however, library’s future was under surrounding area. There are networks and support already their work prevents a lot of threat. At a local community over 600 people registered to in their community. Many problems escalating through meeting, strong support was use Wiveylink and the service of the people we identify the simple act of building expressed for keeping the is not only about connecting together do not see themselves relationships.” library open and WAP stepped people to services, but also as volunteers but can and will Raj Singh, in. WAP also plans to use the connecting people to each help. The role of the Village Deputy Chief Executive, library as a venue for events for other. Mobility problems can Agents is therefore often Community Council the community. mean it is difficult to leave to reconnect, or ‘re-friend’, for Somerset the house, which can lead to people where networks have isolation. broken down, for example Somerset Community Foundation 08 Hidden Somerset: Rural Isolation Looking Ahead Overcoming the challenges that many people face as a result of rural isolation is not easy. Transport to centralised services will remain important, of course, but there is more we can do to encourage projects to reach out into rural areas and enable more ‘home-grown’ initiatives to emerge. Building on the ingenuity and commitment of local people, and making the most of the assets that lie in each community (or creating new ones), is undoubtedly key. Like so many aspects of our work this is a complex issue, but we have drawn out three areas we could look at in more depth within our future grant making.

Thinking and acting locally Small, local initiatives – formal and informal – have an increasingly important role in building stronger and more inclusive communities. Often these might seem quite modest, but if they help people overcome isolation and loneliness they can prevent or delay more serious problems emerging, and they are worth supporting. We need to think about how we might fund the informal voluntary sector with micro-grants, share examples of good practice to inspire others, develop partnerships between small local charities, and public and business services, to increase the impact and reach of their work, and continue making the case for supporting essential community services.

Social Enterprise One of the hallmarks of our rural communities is the close proximity of affluence and poverty. This creates opportunities for social enterprises – from village shops to art projects – to trade and, in doing so, increase access for all to services and opportunities on a more sustainable basis. We need to continue developing an approach to social investment that works in small, rural communities. This might include looking at how we help people with start-up enterprises.

Infrastructure While access to high speed broadband is an infrastructural issue, there are still some areas with poor provision. The greater challenge is giving people the opportunity to make the most of developments in digital technology. We need to look at how we can support existing community infrastructure in rural areas: village halls, churches and schools, for example, to provide a hub for digital access for all local residents. We also need to enable inspirational initiatives to reach out beyond the urban centres into more rural areas in creative ways. That is what we think…but we are interested in hearing from you. Contact [email protected] with your thoughts and ideas.

Our grateful thanks go to The Fairfield Charitable Trust for funding the Hidden Somerset research and publication

Get in touch Address: Yeoman House, The Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6QN Call: 01749 344949 Email: [email protected] Website www.somersetcf.org.uk

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