New support for rural communities in Northumberland

The project will be delivered in three phases through 2025:

1. The first phase will be focused on understanding the existing landscape of community organisations in Northumberland and the challenges they face, via a mapping and survey process.
2. The second phase will involve engaging with selected local organisations to give them the support they need and build their capacity, via one-to-one advice and mentoring, signposting to existing training and resources, and group sessions.
3. The final phase will help the organisations to develop sustainable funding solutions to deliver on their potential.

This latest project aims to build upon the success of the RCF’s previous work in Northumberland. In early 2025, the RCF awarded £79,000 to three Northumberland rural community organisations, in partnership with The National Lottery Community Fund. These projects are: The Nurture Project CIC, Rural Design Centre Ltd, and Lesbury Community Shop Ltd (pictured).

The project will be delivered by ‘Rural Catalyst’, a partnership between Community Action Northumberland (CAN), the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) and the Rural Design Centre.

Based at Newcastle University, NICRE’s team combine research expertise with practical experience of stakeholder engagement and facilitating cross-organisation partnerships and projects. CAN has been active across Northumberland for over 70 years and is already a trusted partner for many local community organisations. The Rural Design Centre works with a range of rural stakeholders to understand business support and innovation activities in rural areas.

Keith Halstead, Executive Director, The Royal Countryside Fund, said: “We already work with some incredible rural community organisations in Northumberland and we’ve heard first-hand about the very real social, environmental and economic pressures that are impacting rural communities in the county. Despite these challenges, we know there is a huge amount of untapped potential in Northumberland and we want to help unlock this by supporting local people and organisations, who understand their communities and can find solutions that are right for them.

“We’ve appointed Rural Catalyst to deliver this important work because of their close connections to these communities and proven track record of delivering change. Like all of us at the RCF, their team is committed to bringing people together to make lasting change, so that countryside communities can thrive, now and for generations to come.

“Thanks to National Lottery Players and to The National Lottery Community Fund for their continued and generous support, which makes this work possible.”

Duncan Nicholson, Regional Head of Funding for the North East & Cumbria at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the Royal Countryside Fund on our joint ambition to support some of the most rurally isolated communities in Northumberland. None of what we do would be possible if it wasn’t for National Lottery players who, by playing the lottery, contribute to supporting charitable organisations to address some of the challenges faced by communities throughout the county.”