Organisations Providing Advice
| Organisation | Contact Details | Type of advice/Information |
Commission for Rural Communities |
www.expertsonline.org.uk/rssupport www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk Email: info@ruralcommunities.gov.uk Tel: 01242 521 381 |
The CRC supports the Rural Service Support service incorporates the Experts Online question and answer service and is designed to help rural communities work together to identify alternative ways of delivering services previously accessed through post offices. Also provides links to related advice, information and articles |
| Community First | www.comfirst.org.uk Tel: 01684 312730 |
Provides advice on related matters, such as: • Community planning • Use of community buildings as centres of rural service delivery • Community transport provision • Sources of Funding |
| Herefordshire Council | www.herefordshire.gov.uk Tel: 01432 260611 (Parish Liaison and Rural Services Officer) Email: abush@herefordshire.gov.uk |
• Contact point for people to voice concerns and offer ideas • Advice on social enterprise development, funding, |
| Post Office Ltd | www.postoffice.co.uk Email: network.change@postoffice.co.uk Customer Helpline: 08457 22 33 44 |
• Published ‘Local Funding’ – guidance for local authorities community groups and others interested in setting up a post office. • Information on how to engage in consultation |
| Postwatch | www.postwatch.co.uk info@postwatch.co.uk Tel: 08456 013265 |
Website provides information on background to proposed closures. Postwatch undertakes to ensure that the PO takes into account the needs of the communities affected and any information emerging from the consultation process. |
| Rural Shops Alliance | www.rural-shops-alliance.co.uk E-mail: info@rural-shops-alliance.co.uk Tel: (01305) 259911 |
Provide information and advice on all aspects of running a rural shop. Also offer one to one support to assist businesses to develop and diversify – particularly those under threat from PO closure |
| ViRSA (Village Retail Services Association) | www.virsa.org Email: virsa@plunkett.co.uk Tel: 01993 814377 |
Advice and support for communities wanting to set up a community owned shop |