Rutland Community Spirit

Rutland Community Spirit has been set up as a result of a two-year grant from Rutland County Council. The aim of the project is to reach out to vulnerable and isolated people who are not already being helped by County Council or voluntary sector services and who do not have any close family support.

Through the project, the RCC want to ensure that:
• The people concerned continue to live safe and healthy lives
• They know that services and help are available to them, and they know how to get hold of those services
• A local community feels able to keep a neighbourly eye on isolated individuals living amongst them, whilst respecting their independence

In order to achieve this, the Project will be working with a team of 4-6 Rutland Community Spirit Champions. These individuals are paid for a few hours work a week, to help the Project Officer establish a support network of volunteers in their community and to seek out those in need of help and advice.

Rutland has an excellent track record of voluntary support and there are already a number of existing groups in the county offering similar provision. Rutland Community Spirit will work alongside Parish Councils and other local groups and individuals; ensuring that the service reaches out to a wide spectrum, further enhancing existing services and also developing new initiatives.

The key to the success of the project is working with local people as volunteers and Rutland Community Spirit Champions. These individuals have first hand experience of the issues that can occur from living in their community and what activities and services already exist. They may also know of someone who would benefit from the support and help on offer.

Sue Renton, Rutland Community Spirit Project Officer, is always looking for motivated indidivuals who would be willing to give up some of their time to help in their community. If you have got some time to spare but cannot commit to a set number of hours a week, you might like to volunteer. Full preparation and awareness raising sessions will be provided.

Rutland Community Champions appointed

The Rural Community Council is pleased to welcome four new part-time members of staff who have recently joined Rutland Community Spirit. They are Deborah Marsh, Dawn Langfield, Sue Finnie and Ruth Hartshorne

Working closely with Parish Councils and community groups, the Rutland Community Spirit Champions will help to reach out to vulnerable isolated people living in the county and look to recruit volunteers who would be willing to offer basic support

Rutland Community Spirit has benefitted from additional funding provided by the East Midlands Development Agency and the Welland SSP with support from Community Lincs.