Suffolk ACRE

Suffolk ACRE is pleased to be part of a national partnership supporting the Village SOS Active campaign, shown for the first time on BBC television last night.

TheUK-wideVillage SOS Active campaign, launched yesterday by the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) includes a £5m funding pot, that aims to inspire and equip people in rural communities to tackle local problems and help revive their local area. They might restore and take over the local pub, create local food businesses or arts and heritage facilities, to attract visitors, create employment and rejuvenate their villages. The campaign launches alongside the Village SOS TV series that began at 8pm last night (Wednesday) on BBC ONE.

Villagesos.org.uk will direct people to the best source of advice for their community business, including more details about the Village SOS Active competition. The competition has £5m Lottery funding in awards of £10,000-£30,000 for the brightest ideas for new community enterprises that will make a lasting difference in rural communities with a population of less than 3,000.

As a partner in the campaign, Suffolk ACRE has vast experience in providing advice and grant finding with recent success stories coming from the Sproughton Community Shop and the Punch Bowl Pub at Battisford.

Dr Wil Gibson, Chief Executive of Suffolk ACRE said “ This programme will give good profile to rural issues and will also be providing a welcome opportunity for new communities to be supported in undertaking new community enterprises”.

Communities in Suffolk who are thinking of establishing enterprises or who have an interest in the Village SOS competition should contact Suffolk ACRE by email on communityenterprisenow@suffolkacre.org.uk

Contact:

Barry Henson for more information

barry.henson@suffolkacre.org.uk

T: 01473345300