The National Youth Agency - Rural Youth Network

Rural Youth Network

Rural Youth Network is a unique organisation bringing together a diverse membership representing both the voluntary and statutory sectors who are engaged in work with young people as well as rural development.

Rural Youth Network is a registered charity that has existed for over 15 years to promote the inclusion of young people in rural areas and to support those working with them. Currently we have a membership of over 650 individuals and organisations. A voluntary Executive Committee manages Rural Youth Network in conjunction with staff based in our office in Leicester.

Rural Youth Network is committed to achieving the following goals:

An equitable and sufficient distribution of resources to work with young people in rural areas enabling them to find an identity and enhance their social and personal development through education, training or employment.
Adequate provision of transport and housing in rural areas to address the key issues of accessibility and affordable accommodation.
A voice for young people as well as ongoing participation in the future of policies affecting rural areas.
We seek to achieve these goals in a number of ways. By promoting new developments in work with young people in rural areas and encouraging organisations and individuals to research, evaluate and write about their practice. We support our membership to share and disseminate that practice through conferences, training opportunities, hard copy and electronic newsletters and through our website www.ruralyouth.com. We also seek to monitor and influence initiatives taken by statutory, independent and voluntary organisations, as well as, government bodies, business and charitable sponsors that relate to young people in rural areas, ensuring they consider the rural dimension.
If you would like to find out more about membership of Rural Youth Network call 0116 242 7441 or e-mail: ruralyouth@nya.org.uk for further details.

Working in Partnership with NYA

Rural Youth Network (RYN) has an established relationship with The NYA. The NYA is represented on the RYN Executive Committee and contributes to conferences as workshop providers and speakers. RYN has worked in partnership on several projects with The NYA, including the production of a briefing on positive activities in rural areas – the document is on both NYA and RYN websites.

Mission Statement

Who we are

Rural Youth Network is the leading voice in rural youth affairs. We are a unique, independent national charity, established since 1985. We work with partners from the voluntary, community and statutory sectors to make a difference on the issues that affect young people and those who work with them in rural areas.

Our beliefs

Young people in rural areas face particular barriers in relation to provision of transport and housing, access to employment, training and education, as well as the opportunity to express their views and be directly involved in matters that affect them in their communities. Rural Youth Network believes that services should be planned and delivered to take into account the needs of these young people. Our vision is that young people in rural areas experience equality of opportunity to enable them to reach their full potential. This requires acknowledgement and understanding of the issues and costs associated with service delivery in rural areas.

What we do

Based on our knowledge of the needs and circumstances of young people in rural areas we will work with central and local government, voluntary and community organisations, young people and their communities to secure better policy and practice in relation to young people in rural areas.

Through our network we create a framework for support, learning and exchange of practice and dissemination of information. This broad network is open to all and includes youth work practitioners, policy makers, and those working with young people in rural areas across a diverse range of disciplines.