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Local action is key to health and wellbeing in rural Scotland

SAC News Release Ref. No: 10N94
Published: 11 Nov 2010

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The role of local projects in improving health and well-being in rural Scotland will be the focus of a high profile SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) event in Edinburgh later this month.

Up to 100 representatives from the government, public, voluntary and private sectors will take part in Rural Scotland in Focus on Wednesday 24th November. The event aims to identify a set of actions for improving health in rural communities.

Thirty local projects from around Scotland - many of which rely on a big input from volunteers - will speak of their work in areas where access to mainstream services can be limited.

Dr Sarah Skerratt of SAC's Rural Policy Centre said: "Rural Scotland might already be seen to have its own 'big society' in a host of locally-led initiatives demonstrating innovation, resilience and value in these challenging economic times. With budgetary constraints and an expanding older population which expects to remain at home for as long as they wish, the contribution of such initiatives will need to grow if rural communities' needs are to be met.

"The evidence shows that this cannot happen without some investment from government and the support of the public and private sectors. The aim of Rural Scotland in Focus is to bring together individuals from across the sectors, including those with an urban perspective, to develop a series of actions which will increase momentum in this process."

The event will take place in two parts. The morning session will involve discussion around important health and well-being issues in rural areas, such as meeting the needs of the increasing number of older people or helping people develop the right skills to find work. A closed debate will then take place in the afternoon amongst a smaller number of participants, when a set of actions will be agreed.

The participating projects include Pulteneytown People’s Project, a community regeneration scheme in Wick; Highland Community Care Forum, a charity which supports carers; and Atlantis Leisure, a community-run sports centre in Oban.

Rural Scotland in Focus is being run by SAC's Rural Policy Centre in partnership with the Scottish Government’s Joint Improvement Team; University of the Highlands and Islands Centre for Rural Health; Children in Scotland; Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations; Forestry Commission Scotland; The Institute of Rural Health and the Centre for Health Science.

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News Release Contacts

SAC Contact

Dr Sarah Skerratt
Senior Researcher
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4335

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News Release Issued By

Ms Jane Smernicki
Head of Communications
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4331

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