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Truro diocese pioneers research into Cornwall's rural deprivation

by Donna Birrell

The Diocese of Truro is funding research into the level of rural deprivation in Cornwall.

The Cornwall Rurality Matters research, which is being carried out by Plymouth Marjon University in Cornwall, will be used to demonstrate the reality of living in Cornwall’s rural neighbourhoods. It will focus on the government’s official measure for experiences of deprivation in England and it's hoped the findings will lead to more appropriate measures of rural deprivation.

Joel Dougan-Davies, Social Responsibility Officer for the Diocese of Truro, said: “There is great beauty in the rural communities of Cornwall, but unfortunately in many areas there is also profound deprivation.

“Many people around Cornwall are living in great need and it is a vital part of the vision of this diocese to be good news for the most disadvantaged. This vision has many expressions, from debt coaching to afterschool clubs, but through this project we are campaigning for social justice and transformation. "

People living in one of six rural areas which have been identified as being under resourced through socioeconomic deprivation, geographical remoteness, and cultural isolation are being invited to take part in the study. The locations are particularly challenged by unemployment, limited access to affordable housing, poor public transport access, limited education and skills facilities, low cultural diversity and opportunity .

Six local schools serving those communities will also be researched to understand educational isolation and the challenges the schools face in accessing resources.

Joel Dougan-Davies said:

“Those in rural communities can be left behind by the collected statistics that define deprivation, and this has significant ramifications on funding distribution. By researching the real lived experience of those in need in rural Cornwall, we are looking towards a future with a more just mechanism for the allocation of resources. We have a vision that prioritises all people in need equally, wherever they live, in urban or rural communities.”  

Cornwall was ranked 83 out of 317 local authority areas for overall deprivation in 2019, with the living environment featuring as 23 most deprived.

Simon Cade, Diocesan Secretary, said: “We know that poverty is not just found in cities and big towns, and that often rural poverty seems to be hidden or overlooked. This research will help us to hear from those who experience life on a low income in Cornwall, it will help us to understand how that effects life-chances and opportunity, and will help us to be faithful to the Gospel call to serve those in need.”

The final report will be shared with local and national policy makers, and it is hoped that it will support better targeting of resources according to need rurally.

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