Our role encompasses development and delivery of community support, together with an intelligence gathering and influencing on rural policy matters. Our work with communities is more focused on groups working towards regeneration aims, through the provision of support and advice on planning, governance, project development and local management.

Core services include:

• Specialist advice and support for rural issues; transport, housing and community buildings.
• Generic advice and support for community groups, partnerships and individuals; training, funding advice; governance; policy and information dissemination.
• Support and guidance on Parish Planning and community planning initiatives.
• Community development and tackling issues of social exclusion in targeted rural areas: Teesdale, Weardale, Cockfield and Evenwood, Helmington Row and Wheatbottom and the Trimdons.
• Network development and generic capacity building work within the Voluntary and Community Sector.
• Partnership working with local, county and regional bodies on policy, new ways of working and practical delivery.
• Networking, sharing best practice and providing consultation on government policy with fellow RCCs in the North East, North of England and at national level through the ACRE network of RCCs.