BEHIND THE HEADLINES: RURAL LIFE UNDER LOCKDOWN

Communities in the countryside face particular challenges in the face of the coronavirus lockdown. Yet amid concern about food supplies and isolation of the elderly and vulnerable, villages are showing remarkable resourcefulness. Mark Rowe reports

How have rural communities coped with the challenges under lockdown, and what are the solutions? Mark Rowe reports.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN CONCERNS?

Vulnerability: Rural communities have a disproportionate number of elderly and people with pre-existing health conditions.

Isolation: Sadly, this was already a feature of life for many people in rural areas, but the closure of pubs, village halls and community centres has exacerbated their isolation. Rural elderly often live some distance from their families and depend on local support. Trips into towns are often a social highlight. “By and large, people in rural communities are used to isolation. The problem now is that family who dropped in on occasion cannot do so,” says Graham Biggs, chief executive of the Rural Services Network (RSN).

Loss of income: With high numbers of selfemployed in rural areas, many people are exposed to loss of earnings that may not be covered by Government schemes.

Wrong perceptions: Rural organisations worry they will not get the support they need because of the perception that villages and countryside communities always “get by”. They fear that the

Government makes this assumption and concentrates its limited capacity on other areas. “That instinct of looking out for each other is a common theme in times of crisis,” says Graham Biggs. “It is less common than it was because so many villages have lots of second homes now, which will be unoccupied.”

Connectivity: Around 11% of rural premises are unable to access a fast broadband connection, making it harder to follow developments that are communicated online and to have those all-important video meetings (work and social).

Shop supplies: Many rural shops were faced with distributors halting deliveries. Plunkett Foundation, which supports rural community businesses, has expressed concern that rural shops are disadvantaged in terms of fair supply distribution. “A lot of rural shops face double challenges. They struggle to get supplies from wholesalers and the shops are often run by volunteers, many of whom are in their 70s, so they are losing many of their staff [as they self-isolate],” says Harriet English, Plunkett Foundation head of engagement.

A lot of rural shops face double challenges. They are struggling to get supplies from wholesalers but they are often run by volunteers, many of whom are in their 70s, so they are losing many of their staff

Harriet English, Plunkett Foundation