The following websites may be able to help with specific and more general information.
Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) – www.acre.org.uk
A charity which supports sustainable rural community development.
Advertising and marketing advice – www.adbriefing.com
Business Link – www.businesslink.gov.uk
Government site offering practical advice to all small businesses, including a search for local Business Link operators in your area.
Business in the Community (BiTC) – www.bitc.org.uk
An organisation of UK companies which offers services that may be of use, including ProHelp a national network of over 1,000 professional firms who offer work pro bono to local community groups and voluntary organisations; Rural Action, a campaign for companies to make a positive impact in rural areas; and Volunteering Plus a service to accredit volunteering, so that the learning and development that results from volunteering can be directly linked back to the workplace.
Co–operative & Community Finance – www.co-opandcommunityfinance.coop
Provides loan finance to social enterprises.
Co–operatives UK – www.co-opunion.coop
The organisation for UK co–operative enterprise, promoting co–operative and mutual solutions, working in partnership with members to grow a stronger and more successful co–operative movement.
The Carbon Trust – www.carbontrust.co.uk
The Carbon Trust helps business and the public sector cut carbon emissions, and supports the development of low carbon technologies. This site provides advice and interest free loans.
Countryside Agency – www.countryside.gov.uk
This site brings together different countryside dimensions – economic, environmental, community and enjoyment into a single national body to achieve sustainable development in the countryside. It co–ordinates the Community Renewables Initiative (CRI).
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – www.defra.gov.uk
Defra works for the pursuit of sustainable development – weaving together economic, social and environmental concerns.
The Department for Trade and Industry – www.dti.gov.uk/er
For employer/employee matters and relations.
Direct Gov – www.direct.gov.uk/DisabledPeople
Includes details about Disability Discrimination Act.
The Disability Rights Commission – www.drc.org.uk
Energy Saving Trust – www.est.org.ik
Set up after the 1992 Rio Earth Summit by the government and private sector, it is a non–profit organisation committed to encouraging sustained use of energy and the cutting of CO2 emissions. Offers advice and some funding.
The Food Standards Agency – www.food.gov.uk
Advice including food hygiene legislation.
Financial Services Authority – www.fsa.gov.uk
Regulator of all providers of financial services in the UK.
Government Funding – www.governmentfunding.org.uk
Information about all the government grants available to the voluntary and community sector.
The Health & Safety Executive – www.hse.gov.uk
Advice on all health and safety issues.
Health and Safety Publications – www.hsebooks.co.uk
Publications on Health and Safety issues.
The Independent Retailer – www.indretailer.co.uk
Downloadable magazine which offers retail advice.
Independent Retailers Network – www.irn-talkingshop.co.uk
Set up for independent retailers, but may also be of help to community shops, particularly under Business Support.
Local Works – www.localworks.org
Website of the campaign behind the proposed Sustainable Communities Bill – legislation to help empower local people improve their local communities.
Oultwood – www.oultwood.com/localgov
Directory and locator of all local government websites.
Plunkett Foundation – www.plunkett.co.uk
The Plunkett Foundation is an educational charity which supports the development of rural group enterprise world–wide. It promotes and implements economic self help solutions to rural problems.
Regional Development Agencies – www.englandsrdas.com
Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) were set up by Government to promote sustainable economic development in England.
RISE – www.rise-sw.co.uk
RISE aims to support the development of a sustainable social enterprise sector in the South West of England. Good selection of national and local weblinks.
Ruralfocus – www.ruralcity.co.uk
Scottish Power Green Energy Trust – www.scottishpower.co.uk/green
The trust funds new community projects which use renewable energy sources.
Triodos Bank – www.triodos.co.uk
Finances companies, institutions and projects that add cultural value and benefit people and the environment.
Unity Trust Bank – www.unity.uk.com
Provides banking and membership services to the trade union, charity, voluntary, credit union and membership organisation sectors.
