Background to the Research

• The Rural Community Network is a membership-based voluntary organisation which was established in 1991. Its aim is to give a voice to rural community groups and enable them to discuss issues such as poverty and social exclusion.
  

Research Approach

• The aim of the research was:
  • To examine the challenges facing older people living in rural areas;
  • Assess the level of contact between the population and community and voluntary groups, and to develop practical recommendations for policy makers.
• An advisory group was established to guide the research. It was composed of experts from academia as well as both the statutory, voluntary sectors.
• The first phase of the research involved undertaking a review of all relevant research and policy literature. Twenty three issues were identified and due to time constraints, the categories were grouped into the following 8 priorities: accessibility; community safety; health and social care; housing; income; isolation and support; participation; volunteering and transport. Equality, poverty and quality of life underpinned each of the 8 themes.
• Data collection methods included the design of a questionnaire for use with voluntary and community groups. Overall, 165 questionnaires were completed, providing a return rate of 33%.
• Finally, 204 older people participated in focus groups across 12 rural locations throughout NI.
  

Main Findings

Organisational Issues

• A significant number of new rural groups have emerged within the last 10 years.
• The main services offered include: community development; education and training; advice and information; rural development and social activities.
• The general adult population, followed by older people, were seen to be the main beneficiaries of the services offered by the various groups.
• Two thirds of respondents stated that they had some links with older people's organisations.
• District Councils and fundraising played a major role in providing funding as apposed to EU grants.
• 50% of the groups whose main beneficiaries are older people have incomes of less than £10,000 per annum.

General Older People's Issues

• The key advantages for older people living in rural areas are: living close to their family; helpful neighbours; the availability of community activities and transport and the relative safety of rural areas as opposed to urban areas.
• The key disadvantages were: fear of crime; lack of transport facilities; isolation and a decline in local services.
• Essential services focused upon health and social needs such as GP surgeries; post offices; public transport and chemists.
• Two thirds of the older people said that the groups they attended provided activities which met the specific needs of older people.
• There is an over representation of older women using the groups, with over half of the groups reporting that their services were used mainly by older women.

Support for Older People

• Isolation is prevalent amongst older people and the main sources of support are: family and friends, Home Helps, GPs, Health Trusts and Boards and community groups.
• Nearly half of the respondents said that there was not a Community Safety Scheme in their local areas.
• Approximately equal numbers reported that there was (43%) or was not (44%) a housing scheme for older people within their local areas. This appears to be an under developed area of work for groups as well.
• Despite older people listing many health services as a valuable source of support, awareness of the existence of health projects for older people within their local areas was very low.
• Older people were perceived to play an active role in 80% of the groups, mainly as committee members.
• Older people rely heavily on family and friends and taxis for transport.
• The following themes emerged during the focus groups as being of key concern: security and fear of crime; transport and access; health care; support and isolation; community spirit; being listened to and information on housing.

Conclusions/Recommendations

• Recommendations for practical solutions as well as suggested topics for further research are made in relation to the above areas.
• The authors urge that policy makers make a greater attempt to understand rural demographics, particularly in light of underlying factors such as a poor transport infrastructure, limited service availability and isolation.
• They urge policy makers to rural-proof all policies and to ensure that policies recognise the contribution made by older people and are inclusive by enabling participation amongst the diverse older populations throughout NI. They conclude that this could be best facilitated through the publication of a rural white paper.