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Research & Evaluation
Hampshire Rural Forum
Hampshire Rural Forum
As the county’s rural community council, Action Hampshire has been active in the Hampshire Rural Forum since its inception in 2009. Following a period of inactivity, the Forum was re-established in 2016 as an overarching body that brings together rural interests (economic, environmental, community, social).
What do we do?
Action Hampshire took on the secretariat role from Hampshire County Council in January 2018. Our role is to support the Chair and the functions of the Forum. Currently there are three meetings a year – we beaver away in the background to make these happen and we plan the themed sessions when members explore a particular topic of interest (such as fly tipping, broadband speeds or environmental policies) . Action Hampshire is also a full member of the Forum and this is how we work to ensure that rural communities have their concerns, issues and solutions considered and taken into account.
In between meetings, we compile bi-monthly updates (known as “snippets”) which highlight policy development, consultations, funding opportunities and other items of news that (hopefully) are of interest to members. Here again we make sure we include information about Hampshire’s rural communities.
Approach
The purpose of the Rural Forum resonates with Action Hampshire’s. (to listen to, connect and equip people so that they flourish and make great things happen). Through the Rural Forum we have some influence on the county’s rural agenda. Through the Rural Forum’s own membership of Defra’s Rural and Farming Network, we can contribute to ensuring Hampshire’s rural priorities and concerns are aired at a national level.
Delivering the secretariat role to the Hampshire Rural Forum gives Action Hampshire the opportunity to remind others of the issues and priorities of those living and working in the rural areas. It also lets us showcase and celebrate all the positive projects and actions that are happening.
Being a member of the Hampshire Rural Forum and delivering the secretariat role has helped us to connect with organisations and agencies we wouldn’t normally come into contact with. It is also allowing us to showcase the energy, the “can do attitude” and the great examples of true entrepreneurial spirit in Hampshire’s small towns and villages.
Why do we do it?
Being a member of the Hampshire Rural Forum and delivering the secretariat role has helped us to connect with organisations and agencies we wouldn’t normally come into contact with. It is also allowing us to showcase the energy, the “can do attitude” and the great examples of true entrepreneurial spirit in Hampshire’s small towns and villages. We certainly believe that there is so much that can be achieved by people coming together. Hampshire’s community shops, local broadband projects, cafes, transport schemes and village hubs all testify to this.
The purpose of the Rural Forum resonates with Action Hampshire’s. (to listen to, connect and equip people so that they flourish and make great things happen). Through the Rural Forum we have some influence on the county’s rural agenda. Through the Rural Forum’s own membership of Defra’s Rural and Farming Network, we can contribute to ensuring Hampshire’s rural priorities and concerns are aired at a national level.
Delivering the secretariat role to the Hampshire Rural Forum gives Action Hampshire the opportunity to remind others of the issues and priorities of those living and working in the rural areas. It also lets us showcase and celebrate all the positive projects and actions that are happening.