Rural Community Network has supported and developed the role of the Rural Residents’ Forum (RRF) in supporting rural tenants and residents to scrutinise housing issues from a rural perspective.
The Forum represents residents from rural housing estates across rural NI and membership is drawn from representatives across all six counties in NI and is supported by NIHE’s Rural Unit, Rural Community Network, and is attended by Supporting Communities NI.
The group has actively engaged with NIHE staff over key issues such as DSD’s Social Housing Reform Programme consultation and NIHE’s Community Involvement Strategy.
The Forum is a place for residents to share good practice, share experiences of their representation of their areas on various committees and to discuss issues common to rural residents across the region. The residents have a keen interest in working to ensure all rural residents have access to information, advice and support. Issues which have been discussed range from concerns over the reform of local government, anti-social behaviour, digital outreach programmes and access to advice and support in health, benefits uptake and housing related matters. Many of the representatives are key volunteers within their own areas and they bring a high level of skill and expertise to this Forum.
RCN is committed to supporting local people to avail of opportunities to get involved with a Forum such as this one, and we provide training and support to help individuals to feel comfortable in being a part of the group.
