Government figures for Worcestershire and The Marches LEP areas show that out of 66,330 business units, 31,165 are in rural areas. That’s 47% of our capacity to succeed and benefit both businesses and the communities.
Community First is a charity whose mission is to promote the wellbeing of rural communities across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Their vision is that a healthy rural community is one with good physical, mental, social, environmental and economic health. Successful rural business is vital to this health.
Last year they were heavily involved in the Select Committee on the Rural Economy, including bringing the Committee to Herefordshire to see rural businesses first-hand. This experience convinced them that we had to be proactive, so they dipped into our reserves to employ an expert to help support rural enterprise. He is already working with the Hive Co-operative Business Support Programme as well as seeking out a range of other opportunities including developing community-led housing opportunities.
To ensure that they keep on the right track – getting the best strategic decisions and scrutinising our progress- Community First need to get someone on their Board who shares their ambition and can see the issues through the prism of business.
The commitment will include five meetings per year. These meetings normally last about two hours and involve lively and interesting discussions, looking at progress and dealing with specific matters. Beyond that it is for Trustees themselves to decide how much time they want to spend. For some people that’s enough, while others want to get more involved in the detail.
If you think this might be the opportunity for you, email rogerb@comefirst.org.uk or call the Chair, Roger Britton on 07742 901865.