The Shropshire Rural Community Council (SRCC) is an independent charity established over 50 years ago to benefit people in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. They are one of 38 Rural community Councils operating throughout England funded by the Government, Local Authorities, Charitable Trusts, public donations and membership subscriptions. They aim to improve the quality of life and to strengthen communities in the county. Their organisation has a strong local track record with funders for delivering a wide range of quality services and projects to local people. They are supported in their delivery through strong links and partnerships with the private sector and local businesses.They have around 38 staff and about 180 or so volunteers who prove to be dynamic and innovative, with some of their projects achieving national as well as local recognition.
The High Sheriff was invited today to join a visit to Longnor Hall especially organised for carers in the community. At the kind invitation of Mrs Gill Burton the carers were given a special day out as a day of reprieve, as well as recognition for the work and devotion given in the home, either looking after disabled relatives, elderly people, anybody who needs regular care and attention. The carers are people who are caring for a loved one who cannot possibly manage without help. They do not necessarily identify themselves as carers and the RCC are there to give them information and support from the community which eases the burden of care massively.
Mrs Burton very kindly gave a detailed guided tour round the magnificent Hall with all its fascinating history and wonderful exhibits. There was a coffee break with delicious cakes and biscuits held in the awe-inspiring dining room, followed by a tour of the gardens as well as the walled garden with it’s cut flower beds and vegetables. The day was cloudless and beautiful, showing Longnor Hall at its best, with magnificent views of the rolling Shropshire countryside and hills. It was a truly wonderful day out for everybody.
Both the High Sheriff and his wife had the opportunity to meet the Chair, Dame Enid Bibby DBE, and other members of staff organising fundraising and events, and find out about the services available and the tremendous drive and energy they put into providing necessary equipment, transport, advice, assistance, anything that will ease the burden for people, especially in remote rural areas where access and acquiring help is much more difficult. Equally there are people young and older, again stuck in rural parts of the county, who might be in need of help in having transport organised for them in order that they might get and maintain employment, enabling them to get started till they earn sufficient money to cope by themselves. We also enjoyed meeting some of the carers and hearing about the the phenomenal task involved in looking after a disabled person in the home, whether it was a disabled child, or a parent suffering from dementia… all kinds of disabilities. There are many facets of community assistance that the RCC fulfil.
The SRCC are always in need of volunteers in all aspects of rural practical help as well as help in fund raising. For more information on what they do, on what is available, volunteer work etc, don’t hesitate to contact them on: shropshire-rcc.org.uk
