THE PRINCE’S COUNTRYSIDE FUND
We go to out to these rural areas and will be in local churches,
village halls etc. and teach people how to use digital devices
and useful online services. From a learners point of view, our
beneficiaries have described the service as life changing or in
some circumstances it has saved their lives. These people were
in a position where they did not know what to do with so many
local services closing and we have been able to open their eyes,
and they now see a much brighter future because of it. Without
The Prince’s Countryside Fund we wouldn’t be able to do any of
the work we do, and none of these people in rural Lincolnshire
with dwindling local services would have been able to receive
our help.”
Established in 2010 by our Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales,
The Prince’s Countryside Fund exists to improve the prospects
of family farm businesses and the quality of rural life,
supporting the production of high-quality food and Britain’s
precious landscapes. In short, we look after the people who
look after the countryside. Our four main areas of work are The
Prince’s Farm Resilience Programme, our grant making
programme, commissioning research, and our emergency
fund.
The Prince’s Farm Resilience Programme is a unique free
business skills training scheme, comprised of a set of workshops
and bespoke one-to-one sessions for family farm businesses.
Since 2016, we have supported over 1000 farmers to improve
their business performance in over 60 locations. Derek from
Lancashire said: “I would without a shadow of a doubt
recommend this Programme. It shows you how you can
progress the business to do what it is supposed to do, to support
yourself and your family, provide a good quality of life, and
prepare for retirement. Farming is what we want to do in life,
so it’s important to be doing it the best we can, and make the
best use of our time and resources.”
Our Grant Making Programme drives rural economic vibrancy
through distributing grants to local grassroot organisations
that help sustain communities, such as transport services for
the elderly or isolated. Since 2010, we have distributed over £10
million to more than 350 communities.
Rich, Lincs Digital Project Manager said: “Thanks to The
Prince’s Countryside Fund’s grant we go out into the rural
communities of Lincolnshire and take digital devices to them.
These areas have lost a lot of services and people need to get
over the fear of using the online services, and learn how to use
them, and that is where we come in.
We Commission Research into issues affecting rural and
farming communities, over the past five years, the Fund has
published seven research papers. One of these papers,
‘Recharging Rural’ led to the publication of our ‘Village
Survival Guide’, a vibrant book containing an entertaining
collection of case histories, checklists and practical advice, to
help enable those living in the countryside to utilize the talents
available in their own communities, and benefit from the
examples of many others to tackle some of their own challenges.
An Emergency Fund is made available in times of countryside
crisis. Recently, this supported the Yorkshire Dales community
of Reeth and Arkengarthdale when they were hit with severe
flooding in August 2019.
We also work with some of our partners to provide initiatives
to support those in rural life:
- The Jordans Sustainable Agriculture Bursary supports
undergraduates at the Royal Agricultural University and the
University of Reading with £5000 of funding support
throughout their degree. Applications are open now for
September 2020.
- Our New Holland ‘Up to Speed’ Scheme offers three lucky
beneficiaries the chance to win the loan of a New Holland
machine for a full year.
- The Morrisons Apprenticeship Levy is an exciting opportunity
for young farmers to gain financial aid to fund their studies at
a local agricultural college if they are over 19, employed on a
farm and enrolling in an apprenticeship or training programme
at a local agricultural college.
The Fund has played an active role in supporting those affected
by Covid-19. In April, we released £120,000 of emergency
Grant Funding to 62 rural community groups helping to
counter the effects of isolation experienced during the
pandemic.
We also support the Farming Help partnership, providing
support for farmers and their families affected by Coronavirus
through a telephone helpline. By calling 03000 111 999, those
in need are directed to the most relevant help, resources and
practical solutions.
The Fund is reliant on the generosity of our corporate partners
and members of the public to allow us to carry out our work.
Please text PCF3 to 70300 to donate £3 to help support the
British countryside or donate at:
www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/donate.
06 | Rural Life