Policy Position Papers
Highlighting ACRE's position and featuring our members case study solutions across the range of rural work including Community Led Planning, services, affordable housing and community assets;
Community Led Planning Resources
ACRE has produced resources to help both communities and local authorities make the most of Community Led Planning, drawing on best practice from across England
ACRE Briefings
Published usually as a response to policy proposals or changes that are relevant to rural communities.
Case Studies
An extensive and diverse range of case studies that show how our membership in the Rural Community Action Network (RCAN) works to benefit rural communities. These are featured as part of the different sections of the website, for example Community Led Planning or Housing.
Consultation responses
Made normally to Government and other relevant national bodies, often in conjunction with our members in RCAN.
Over the hill?
The Over the hill project (2010-12) is raising awareness and developing community-led solutions addressing the needs of older people living in rural areas. It has produced a good practice DVD aimed at practitioners and short film for the public.
Research
Research is an important and developing part of ACRE’s work. For example every ten years we undertake the English National Village Hall Survey. It provides us, our membership and Defra with invaluable information about the fundamental but changing roles of these rural community buildings. Recently we developed a web tool and associated reports highlighting the extent of rural deprivation. The work is developing and we hope it will prove a critical tool in influencing policy and resource allocation.
Village Hall Publications
An extensive selection of practical targetted information for our membership and others working within the village halls/ community buildings sector.
Rural Evidence Project
Evidencing Rural Need shows the real socio-economic picture of rural England - its areas of deprivation, the economy and access to services. The resource developed by ACRE, its members in RCAN and our partner OCSI, comprises straightforward annotated reports with tables and maps. It enables users to drill down to small areas of geography and will help organisations influence decisions about rural policies, services and programmes effectively.
Events
ACRE hosts a Policy Conference which takes place usually in November aimed at RCAN chief executives and senior board members.
We also hold a Fieldworkers' Conference for officers in RCAN and some other organisations featuring workshops on a wide range of rural projects such as Community Led Planning and Rural services.
Fieldworker's Conference 2011
Fieldworker's Conference 2010
Fieldworker's Conference 2009
We also support an annual Village Hall Advisers Training Conference that is funded by Aon.
