|
26 November 2010 
Five locally-led projects from the North East will be held up as shining examples of how to improve health and wellbeing in rural Scotland at a national SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) event.
Momentum, the Aberdeenshire Post Natal Depression Network; Fraserburgh’s Cafe Connect, the Pitscurry Project and Can Do Community Recycling will be showcased at Rural Scotland in Focus in Edinburgh on 24th November.
They will be seen as examples of how local action is key to improving health in areas where access to mainstream services may be limited.
Up to 100 representatives from the government, public, voluntary and private sectors will attend the event with the aim of identifying a set of actions for improving health in rural communities.
Dr Sarah Skerratt of SAC's Rural Policy Centre said: "Through impressive, locally-led initiatives like the five that are working successfully in the North East, rural Scotland might already be seen to have its own 'big society' demonstrating innovation, resilience and value. With current budgetary constraints the contribution of projects like this 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. The local projects will share their experiences with guests.
A closed debate will then take place in the afternoon amongst a smaller number of participants, when a set of actions will be agreed.
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.
|
