Who facilitates a Community Led Plan

Rural Community Councils have supported Community Led Plans since they were first pioneered in rural areas in the late 1970s.  They are charitable organisations that play an important role in supporting community projects and activities, mainly in rural areas.  Rural Community Councils aim to help communities identify their own needs and develop their ability to take action for themselves across social, economic and environmental issues.  In the past few years, they have increasingly provided support to communities in urban areas.

Rural Communities Councils employ dedicated Community Development Workers that specialise in providing impartial, practical support to groups undertaking a Community Led Plan.  They have a wealth of experience that they share with communities to enable them to produce high-quality plans.

The support the Rural Community Council practitioners can provide includes:

• Helping communities to get started and plan the process
• Explaining the 9 step process
• Advice on funding sources, including budgeting and timetable preparation for the production and implementation of the plan
• Accessing data about the community from public sources
• Guidance on the most appropriate methods of consultation
• Provision of sample materials such as constitutions, draft questionnaires, action plans etc
• Putting community groups in touch with others who have also produced a Community Led Plan
• Brokering participation with local authorities and other service providers
• Advice on which statutory agencies, service providers and other bodies should be approached and when
• Guidance on linking the plan to local strategies such as Sustainable Community Strategies and Local Area Agreements

Please see the list below to find an RCAN member near you: