, amotte ANNA L ire Perthsh
QUALITATIVE REPORT
“... Young people will be an important catalyst for rural economies and communities to not just survive but thrive.”
ridge, Dewi U Wales
@RYP2018
@RYP2018
First published August 2020. © Rural Youth Project 2020.
/RuralYouthProject
Rural Youth Project
Rural Youth Project
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FOREWORD
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utward migration of young people is a challenge for rural communities all over the world, but Scotland is leading the mission to identify and create strategies to retain young people in rural areas.
Our aim is to provide context, to showcase the powerful stories, to highlight communities and organisations that “do different” and we have included case studies to emphasise the sentiments revealed by the Rural Youth Project, as well as demonstrate solutions that rural young people have employed to improve their communities.
After publishing the quantitative findings from the Rural Youth Project survey in 2018 we have dug deep into its sentiments and collated a host of podcasts, blogs and vlogs to hear directly from young people. What we have found is that there is only so much that black and white statistics can tell you about their lives. We have been humbled and astounded by their honesty and their vision. It has cemented our view that we need to listen more, to support more, and to encourage young people to reimagine rural places.
Our belief is that if young people can build vibrant lives in rural places, they become the lifeblood of that area, and this will be an important catalyst for rural economies and communities to not just survive but thrive. The aim of our work is to share our knowledge and findings with the world to help ensure that, collectively, we are informed and equipped the better to support and inspire future generations.
The Covid-19 pandemic has led to many changes for young people, so we felt that it was a crucial time to ‘hear’ the voices of the under-30s living rurally. So, we decided to produce this follow-up qualitative report, to capture the sentiments from the free-text responses in our 2018 survey and from our other engagement. This report also includes results and sentiments from the 2020 Rural Youth Project Covid-19 survey which was launched to ascertain how the crisis was impacting the lives of young people and compounding some of the issues they face living in a rural area. This report shares rich and vibrant insights into the everyday challenges and opportunities that young rural people face, wherever in the world they live.
In producing this qualitative report, our aim has been to provide an honest insight into the lives of rural young people – their challenges, their hopes, and their needs. By being more informed, our hope is that the issues raised will allow decision-makers and communities to listen to and better support the needs and aspirations of young people. Many thanks must go to the Rural Youth Project partners who have come on board to become “Champions of Change” for young people in their communities.
Jane & Rebecca Rural Youth Project Directors E hello@ruralyouthproject.com @janecraigie
@rebeccajdawes
OUR TEAM
A special thanks from our team to the LEADER Programme 2014-2020: The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas, who have made publishing this report possible.
STAFF
DIRECTORS Jane Craigie Voluntary
@RYP2018
Rebecca Dawes Voluntary
Alana Black Project & Communications Officer 4 days per week
Helen Cameron Admin & Bookkeeping Officer 1 day per week
The Rural Youth Project is funded as a cooperation project by five LEADER Local Action Groups (LAGs); Angus, Lanarkshire, Outer Hebrides, Rural Perth and Kinross, Scottish Borders, who are supporting the project in the next phase of a longer-term programme to reach out to all areas of Scotland and enable all young people to participate and become the next generation of rural leaders.
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SUMMARY & METHODOLOGY
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he Rural Youth Project was initiated by agricultural and rural communication specialists Jane Craigie Marketing (JCM) in early 2018 to gain a fuller insight into the challenges, aspirations and needs of young people living rurally to understand how better to support them in the future.
people. These enabled us to capture the voices and stories of young people directly through podcasts and vlogs, providing them with a platform to share their experiences and opinions on living and working rurally. Here young people from the UK and around the world expound on the themes of rural opportunities available, as well as some of the challenges including employment, housing, training and access to services.
Research and gathering the opinions of young people directly underpins this project. The online research survey ran from January-June 2018 and received responses from 755 young people aged 18-28, living or working rurally, with a specific focus on Scotland, England, Wales, Australia, Canada, Sweden and the USA. The aim was to learn more about the opinions and attitudes of this group regarding housing, transport, connectivity, employment and more general opportunities. It was also to understand their degree of optimism for the future to determine how they can be supported by their communities and the relevant industries, institutions, and policy-makers. The survey included the opportunity for respondents to submit free text answers which provide deeper insights into the everyday lives of rural young people.
During the coronavirus pandemic, the Rural Youth Project was invited to join the Scottish Government’s Covid-19 Rural Economy & Communities Stakeholder Group. RYP was thus able to feed back directly to ministers and stakeholders about young people during isolation and the effect that had on them and their community. This information was collected through an online survey and these results are included in this survey. Finally, together with the 2018 survey and a subsequent survey conducted in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, insights from vloggers, event sentiments and case studies, have enriched the narrative of what it is like for young people to live rurally. These voices inform the basis of this qualitative report.
Alongside the survey, the Rural Youth Project has held two Ideas Festivals bringing together over 150 young
Image: Craig Stephen Photography
2018 Ideas Festival, Kinross 4
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Respondents of the Rural Youth Project highlighted the interconnected issues of poor transport (78% cannot live where they do without access to a car),
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Many rural places need youth repopulation to survive. When we dig down and ask the right questions to gain a truer understanding of the root problems that divide and isolate rural young people from their urban peers, we have the ability to empower the under-30s to enact change in their own communities.
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he stories of rural young people matter; their telling can help crystallise the reality and bridge the issue of isolation. In recent years, there has been a steady depopulation of young people from rural areas and strategies so far utilised have failed to stem the flow.
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WHY I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA...
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How optimistic do you feel about the future?
40%
72% poor digital connectivity (64% have poor or no 3G/4G) and inadequate housing (expensive and limited availability). It is an ecosystem of disadvantage, exasperated by the tyranny of distance. Before the coronavirus pandemic - despite the aforementioned issues - 72% of respondents felt optimistic about the future and many regional young people attribute growing up rurally as an important part of their identity. However, the coronavirus crisis has exacerbated feelings of loneliness and isolation, and the optimism of young people has suffered. In the 2020 Rural Youth Project Covid-19 survey, a repeat of the 2018 question: ‘How optimistic do you feel about the future?’, was asked. The indications are that young people’s optimism about the future has nearly halved to 40%.
“It’s the place of my culture and family.” In the 2020 Covid-19 Survey, participants were asked to express how they feel in three words. This word cloud was generated from the responses.
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But why do some stay, and others go? The majority of Rural Youth Project Survey respondents identified an emotional relationship with family or their partner as the main reason for living in a rural area.
“I grew up here, I work on the family farm, my friends live here, and it has a good social aspect too.” This yearning for stability and familiarity is common throughout many of the comments made in the Rural Youth Project Survey, during events, and project vloggers consistently identify family ties and “shared history” as a reason for living where they do.
“I for one am really proud to say Jura is where I come from and feel it’s where I belong.” Respondents’ motivations to live rurally were not exclusively due to relationships, however. Work, education and training were identified by a third of respondents as their main reasons for living in a rural area, with one respondent commenting:
“I feel there’s more opportunity [living rurally] to create my own career path.” We explored the matter of location from an educational and employment perspective, and specifically, what support is needed to ensure young people continue to live and work rurally. A recurring theme identified was the limited access to affordable and appropriate housing.
Image: Craig Stephen Photography
“This yearning for stability and familiarity is common... family ties and ‘shared history’ as a reason for living where they do.”
,
ox Otto C Fife
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BUILDING BUSINESS
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lthough there is general concern around the lack of employment, education and training opportunities, respondents remain optimistic regarding their future in rural areas. Sentiments from the two Rural Youth Project Ideas Festivals reveal that desire among young people to become entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized business owners. Yet, many identified that they do not know where to start.
“[I’ve been] trying to meet the right experts to help start a business; i.e. arrange meetings with Business Gateway, Prince’s Trust, HIE, workshops, training – they don’t come here to the islands.” Supporting respondents – or wider rural businesses - to create “cool businesses” could be one of the solutions to reversing depopulation of youth from regional areas.
“By supporting the growth of small businesses and
industries in rural areas to encourage more young people to move to jobs in the countryside.” The founders of the Rural Youth Project have coined the phrase “Cool Business”, based on the sentiments expressed by young people. Such businesses can be defined as those innovative small to medium size businesses which: 1.
‘Do different’
2.
Have a deep sense of purpose and place
3.
Champion peoplecentric practices
4.
Employ innovative marketing often with an ‘urban vibe’
5.
Have strong stories, frequently tying in history and heritage
6.
Have a community ethos
Cool businesses may be a social enterprise, a community-based business or an ethically driven enterprise.
k, amecni Dusty Z a , Canad o i r a t n O @DustyZam
Rural Youth Project vlogger Dusty Zamecnik is leading the way in rural innovation in Canada opening Hometown Brewing Company and Hometown Hop Company in 2016.
“In a million years I never thought I’d be back…I’m happy to call Norfolk County home and to bring business here. We’re bringing the brewery here, we’re bringing innovation and research all here.” “We’re all in this together, such as fighting for reliable internet for our business. We’re trying to build our business and thrive and be just as competitive as companies located in urban centres.” Rural Youth Project recognises that each region and country requires its own tailored set of strategies to improve social and economic outcomes, but the qualitative data collected suggests that we need to raise business confidence and mentor young people to start businesses in their local community.
“We’re all in this together... trying to build our business and thrive and be just as competitive as companies located in urban centres.” 7
Image: Mcmullan Studio
CASE STUDY
FLEXSTEAD
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aking on the affordable housing crisis with a fresh set of eyes, architect Andrew Mcmullan and his team have created a future concept of living for young rural dwellers. For over 15 years, Andrew has held senior-level positions leading projects, which included working on the 2012 Olympic Games masterplan. His passion for innovative design has shaped award-winning work in New York, Singapore, London, and Shanghai. His recent cutting-edge project has been named the ‘rural home of the future’ after winning an architecture competition focused on creating affordable homes which encourage young people to stay in the rural Lakes and the Dales of Yorkshire.
The studio conducted an examination of rural communities to help understand the context for which they were designing, but also what a young person choosing to live there would want and need. Due to be built in the village of Horton in Ribblesdale, the design includes a large volume of space with very few walls. By doing this, there is no prescribed layout and no extra expense of knocking walls down if a person wants to change the original set up.
“The Flexstead will create homes that are affordable and will enable residents to add their own, very specific, personality to their spaces”
The competition, run by Great Place: Lakes and Dales in partnership with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), called for innovative designs for flexible, affordable housing which would attract under 35s to the area.
“The studio was inspired by the challenge. We are very passionate about how we can provide exceptional and affordable homes for young people”, said Andrew. “The Flexstead will create homes that are affordable and will enable residents to add their own, very specific,
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personality to their spaces - creating homes which can evolve and adapt over their lifetime - true sustainable architecture.”
“The Flexstead creates an open and flexible space which allows internal walls to be constructed easily, rather than inheriting a layout which becomes a frustrating obstacle to enjoying and using the home efficiently.” The two-storey stone shell has high ceilings providing an airy, light feeling with open plan layout throughout. Its striking roof creates a local landmark and is divided in two by a roof light that runs end-to-end of the building to
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CASE STUDY connect residents to their rural surroundings.
“Constructing the Flexstead from local natural stone will be a positive way of supporting traditional skills like stonewalling”
The studio worked with a talented team of engineers to develop a design that will use minimal concrete, which will reduce the building’s carbon footprint. Using a ground floor structural timber floor means that the Flexstead will be built faster and lighter, with reduced excavation and foundations.
“By working with an amazing world-class team, we were able to use very little concrete, which is one of the most energy-intensive processes to manufacture, so the construction itself was sustainable. Using timber flooring meant the building could be built faster as we
were digging less holes and pouring less concrete,” explained Andrew. “Constructing the Flexstead from local natural stone will be a positive way of supporting traditional skills like stonewalling.
“The Flexstead is similar to the humble hiking boot - simple and robust from the outside, whilst being sophisticated and flexible inside - responsive to the specific comfort of the people who live there. “The Flexstead is easily replicated and adapted for other sites - so it has the potential to be rolled out in huge numbers.” @McMullanStudio
Image: Mcmullan Studio
the flexstead
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WORKING 9 TO THRIVE
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necdotally, the Rural Youth Project has found that young people are willing to forgo higher salaries for a job that fulfils their sense of purpose. Respondents from the 2018 Rural Youth Project survey indicated that 70% were employed or selfemployed, 24% were in education and 5% were unemployed. Regarding employment, 64% of respondents had one job, 24% had a second job and just over 12% had three jobs to earn sufficient income. It is apparent from free-text answers, that sufficient employment and education opportunities are at the fore for rural youth, with many participants expressing serious concerns regarding job opportunities affecting their future.
“Looking at my personality and career aspirations, I believe [living rurally] would not fit me well in the long term.”
In addition to education and job opportunities, the rural youth respondents identify a lack of infrastructure as a major issue impacting those who live and work rurally. From poor broadband, infrequent public transport and limited access to housing, there is an ecosystem of disadvantage which is severely affecting young people’s decision to live and work rurally or to relocate, as well as inhibiting their experience when they choose to stay.
“The biggest challenge is accommodation and work. I will be moving to Edinburgh for my new job.” “I could work from home every day but don’t have a stable internet connection to do so.”
“There aren’t many opportunities and I feel that this can sometimes hinder people’s dreams and ambition.”
Entrepreneurship, self-employment, and flexible working environments could help retain young people in rural areas while simultaneously positively influencing those communities both socially and economically. But the infrastructure must first be in place to foster such an environment.
“I am trained in graphic design but there are zero opportunities in my area for this.”
In relation to employment, the Rural Youth Project asked respondents about moving away to a town or
Image: Craig Stephen Photography
Melissa Reilly, Lanarkshire @_Melissa247
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Laura McCulloch, stranraer
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Image: Craig Stephen Photography
Mukadass Javaid, Glasgow
@MukadassJ
“There is value in the temporary exodus of young people who leave to study or work in a city; they often build cool businesses, bringing a new enthusiasm for the beauty and purpose of place. ”
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26%
52%
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What is clear for young people who leave their rural homes, spend time studying or working in a city or town, then return home to build their lives, is the value placed on this temporary exodus. The returnees bring back a portfolio of invaluable perspectives, insights and skills that often result in the establishment of cool businesses, a reimagining and a new enthusiasm for the beauty and purpose of place. Analysis suggests this returning demographic has the benefit of an urban understanding, new ideas and, frequently, ways to inject urban ‘cool’ to rural business marketing.
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In the Covid-19 Rural Youth Project survey, the question, ‘Do you plan to move to a town or city post-lock-down?’ was asked. Over 60% of respondents either disagreed or strongly disagreed with the question, with just 18% of respondents answering ‘agree’ or ‘strongly agree’. When examining the free-text responses of those who answered that they would be re-locating post lockdown, some commented that they would be relocating for employment opportunities, but the majority of the respondents anticipate relocating in order to attend university.
Do you plan to move to a town or city?
BEF OR E
city ‘where employment opportunities are better’. The responses show that twice as many respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed with this statement (52%). Just 26% agreed or strongly agreed. When examining the free-text responses, many listed university and further education as their reason for migrating to a city.
18%
60%
Disgreed/Strongly disagreed Agreed/Strongly agreed Don’t know
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Image: Food Punks
CASE STUDY
The Food Punks in action
FOOD PUNKS Scottish borders
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ood Punks is an innovative social enterprise in the Scottish Borders empowering young people through appreciating and cooking food. Food Punks is one of Tweeddale Youth Action’s (TYA) income-generating social enterprises that started as an initiative to teach simple cookery skills that would help young people learn how to cook local fresh food from scratch, also leading to lower carbon lifestyles.
“Not long after I started with TYA, I started doing some cooking sessions with the kids which is a great way to break down barriers – everyone loves to eat! – and it’s about change, development and growth. ‘I ended up starting my own outside catering business and I included a couple of the young people from the project in this and we did a couple of high-profile events in Glasgow. It wasn’t exactly a youth club but it wasn’t exactly a nonyouth club either.”
“We didn’t even have a proper kitchen or even a sink...”
Pioneered by TYA Project Manager and Food Punk’s Head Chef, Dave Hodson, the programme started from humble beginnings but soon evolved into a fullblown catering business servicing the south of Scotland.
After a career working in restaurants in England, Ireland, France and Scotland, Dave retrained in community work and started as a Youth Worker with Tweeddale Youth Action, but it was not long before Dave started utilising his skills in the kitchen to positively affect the lives of young people in the Borders. “During my catering career running kitchens it taught me responsibility, discipline and it was an education in itself. Throughout my time as a chef, I was interested in recruiting young people who perhaps had interesting lives and I really loved that.
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Food Punks grew out of a strong relationship with the organisation PeeblesCAN and received funding from the Climate Challenge Fund.
“The name food punks came from our young people and this all started with a Climate Challenge Fund award that we received to put a kitchen in, as all of our cooking at that point at the youth club was from truly humble beginnings. We didn’t even have a proper kitchen or even a sink – we previously boiled a kettle to get hot water to do the dishes.” It wasn’t long before the community noticed the project and Food Punks were approached by local organisations. “Our aim was cookery lessons with young people, focussed on reducing food waste and, during this, we were approached by the joint churches of Peebles who said ‘we’re having a bit of a BBQ – do you guys want to cater?’. ‘A bit of a BBQ’ actually turned out to be 1,000
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people! We managed and it ended up being a fantastic experience and it can’t have been that bad as we were invited back to do one the next year! But we were much more experienced and ambitious with that menu.”
“...it’s essentially an exceptionally good way of reaching young people perhaps on the fringes.”
Now funded by Scottish Borders LEADER and the Robertson Trust, all profit generated goes back into youth work and services for young people. Food Punks is a great example of empowering young people and challenging the sometimes negative stereotypes they receive. “Through the medium of the kitchen, some coin in the pocket, hard graft, a bit of fun, in a pretty high-pressure atmosphere - it’s essentially an exceptionally good way of reaching young people perhaps on the fringes.” During the coronavirus pandemic, Food Punks had to adapt their offering to support rural young people in the Scottish Borders.
“Food remains a very strong theme, but pretty much all of our catering bookings have had to be postponed, so we’ve moved to an online model. Every Friday afternoon at 2:00pm we do baking and cooking on Zoom.
“We started off with about 10 to 12 young ones joining, but now we’re in the mid-30s. They are sent weighed and bagged ingredients with a recipe and any equipment and kit that they might need, and then they join us on the call. It’s been fantastic and the energy is really high. We’re bringing people together and it’s something we’re going to continue post-lockdown – it’s a great way of reaching the young ones who don’t usually come into our space. “Big thanks must go to the Food Punks brigade who work so hard and who have been so committed to growing the project and moving it forward - it really wouldn’t happen without the young people involved.” @Punks_Food
Image: Food Punks
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Image: Guardswell
CASE STUDY
Anna feeding her sheep at Guardswell
ANNA LAMOTTE perthshire
G
rowing up in the Perthshire countryside, Anna Lamotte had little idea she would later return to become a pioneering young businesswoman, just a stone’s throw away from the family farm of her childhood. After completing a degree in marine biology, Anna wanted to combine her love of baking and teaching children about growing food. She also explored Edinburgh’s restaurant scene, briefly considering a career as a chef. Unexpectedly, it was returning home to rural Perthshire to start a family venture, that provided the platform Anna needed to innovatively marry these passions together innovatively in one place.
Anna’s enterprising spirit and flair for marketing and communication has, to a large extent, been the backbone of their success - enabling them to curate a strong ‘brand’ that has wide-reaching appeal. Harnessing the power of social media platforms such as Instagram, Anna has been able to capture the essence of who they are as a business, celebrate the beauty and charm of their rural backdrop, and create a buzz around their creative ventures. These images, however, do not communicate the difficulties behind the lens. Poor broadband connectivity remains a key challenge;
“Internet speed and access is a huge rural challenge, especially when running a business”
The rural venture “grew arms and legs” from its first incarnation as a few getaway huts and simple washroom facilities. Guardswell is now a vibrant events space, hosting weddings, parties and workshops, alongside stunning accommodation, all of which attracts visitors from around the world. Anna is passionate about drawing people out to the countryside to experience the connection and relaxation of rural life. “We can encourage people who lead super hectic lives, to come out of urban areas and enjoy a rural setting. Here, people can reconnect with the outdoors, learn something new and have fun.”
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“Internet speed and access is a huge rural challenge, especially when running a business and relying on the social media and website element to make that business thrive. At times it can take me a good minute to upload an image to our website, whereas if I were to go sit in a café in Dundee, it would only take 10 seconds.” Another key issue for Anna has been the affordability and availability of rural housing. Having established the core business, finding a suitable property nearby was vital for the around-the-clock profession. This took two and a half years to secure.
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Image: Guardswell
“Finding a house in a 5-mile radius here is extremely challenging. Abernyte is one of the closest villages but properties don’t come up for sale there. Affordability is a huge challenge for young people trying to live in this rural area.”
“It is vital to have a broad demographic of ages if rural communities are to survive.”
Guardswell is a value-driven family business, built on intergenerational collaboration, with community at the heart of what they do. Anna is passionate about futureproofing rural areas and caring for her community. As such, she is involved in a campaign to help support the local school that is under threat of closure. “We’re fortunate here to have a very energetic community - however, it is slightly ill-balanced with fewer younger families and residents in the area but what happens when the older generation need looking after and there’s no
young people in the community to keep an eye on them? Therefore, it is vital to have a broad demographic of ages if rural communities are to survive.”
Anna’s key focus moving forward is to develop the educational arm of the business, facilitating more opportunities for young people to connect with and learn about the outdoors. “2020 is [Scotland’s] Year of Education. We want to introduce children’s outdoor camps and involve more skilled workshops. Now the core events business is set, we just need to continue running it well.”
@GuardswellFarm
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Image: Eilidh Carr
CASE STUDY
EILIDH CARR outer hebrides
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hotographer and business owner Eilidh, moved home at the age of 23 to the small and remote island of Berneray, where she grew up. Here, she launched her business Coralbox Gift Shop, a small independent craft shop where she sells her own photography products, as well as other local makers’ creations.
One challenge Eilidh had to overcome to establish her business was enterprise support. Eilidh found that funding was not available to her. Fortunately, she was able to find the money to invest but recognises others may not have this opportunity: “I would love to see more funding opportunities and enterprise support to encourage young people to get their businesses off the ground”
Over a five-year period, her business has evolved from selling at craft fairs, to trading through her first shop in a converted caravan, to its current site in her beautiful purpose-built wooden gift shop that sits upon the shore of Bays Loch, with stunning views out to sea. As the only gift shop on the island, it has provided a key platform to celebrate local makers and attract more visitors to the island.
“Weather can play a tricky role! When the ferries or planes aren’t running, not only do they not bring visitors, they don’t bring the mail in either or my parcels being sent out to customers are delayed in leaving the islands.”
Considered a National Scenic Area, Berneray has some of the best flora and fauna in Scotland which Eilidh captures Eilidh’s shop and transfers onto mugs and coasters using specialist printing equipment. She also uses these photographs to produce calendars, cards and tea towels. It is her love and appreciation of nature, the slower pace and the beaches that drew her back to the island; “I missed the way of island life”. Yet it was her time away from home, studying photography in Aberdeen, that helped Eilidh gain the confidence, skills, and ideas to make her business possible. Her idea for using her own photographs for products first hatched whilst Eilidh worked for nightclubs and made keyrings with photographs of groups of friends on nights out. Amazingly, Eilidh recalls, “there was the same number of people in my university halls as there are on the entire island of Berneray!”
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Another challenge for her business is transport which for islanders – is inextricably linked to the weather:
Eilidh also highlights the issue of housing. Many young people moving back to the island struggle to find adequate housing. Having moved home intending to live with her parents for a year, five years later Eilidh is still unable to find long-term affordable housing. Many of her friends are in similar positions. Eilidh says, “Houses don’t come up often as people tend to stay put for a long time and I don’t think there has been any new housing built over the past 20 years.” At present, the universal challenge for small business owners- especially those reliant on tourism - is the Covid virus. Whilst Eilidh continues to sell products online, it is undoubtedly an uncertain time. Meeting this with positivity, during lockdown, Eilidh has been streaming live footage of the bay on her website and sharing this on social media. She says, “it has been a good way of virtually ‘bringing’ people to the island”. Social media has been very important for Eilidh in launching her business and she has a supportive and loyal community of followers; “I’ve actually made lots of friends on Twitter. I’ve had people on Twitter follow me for years and then call into the shop to say ‘hello’! It is nice to have that connection”. @EilidhCarr
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Owen making his jam
Image: Owen Foster
CASE STUDY
OWEN FOSTER ANGUS
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oung entrepreneur, Owen, has been keeping busy during lockdown setting up his new farm shop. Owen began his entrepreneurial journey at age 12, selling free-range eggs in his village. He has since founded his successful jam company, ‘Owen’s Angus Jams’ and is now expanding into new territory with his shop, ‘Foster’s Farm Shop’. Owen and his family have been working around the clock to provide takeaway food and coffee, as well as all the essentials to keep their customers well fuelled through lockdown. It has been a huge hit. Self-motivated and resourceful, Owen has always had a good eye for business opportunities. He quickly discovered that by going directly to his customers he was able to charge a little more. With his first egg venture, he bought eggs from a local farmer; “I paid a pound for half a dozen and sold them for £1.50 and I went knocking on doors to find my customers!”
commitment are the foundation of his success, but Owen also cites the intergenerational partnerships he has with his parents and grandmother, as fundamentally important. Owen recognises the biggest challenge he has faced was financial support: “There is not enough enterprise support for young people to start-up businesses in rural areas; I was very lucky because I was able to get funding from my family. If you don’t have access to that it can be very difficult to come by.” Owen found he was not eligible for conventional funding sources so turned to crowdfunding. As the first business in his area to be supported by crowdfunding, Owen was surprised at how willing people were to support him. His tips for crowdfunding are: “1) Keep pushing it all the time – social media is one of the most powerful tools to get you ‘in front of the crowd’ and it’s free! “2) Get people to connect with your story then they’re more likely to give.
When at age 14 the egg supply dried up, he moved into jams - inspired by his grandma Joyce Morrison:
“3) Make it manageable: If everyone on our Facebook page donated £5 then it would take us to our total!”
“She taught me how to make jam. We did 50 jams in one afternoon and I sold them for £3 a jar and I sold them all within the week just knocking on people’s doors.”
Despite the positive reception in the community, Owen’s business has been severely affected by coronavirus having lost all the catering contracts as well as encountering issues with suppliers, deliveries, and price increases.
As someone who was eager to get out of the school environment and expand his ideas, Owen was ready to launch into business immediately but agreed with his mother to complete school and attend business college beforehand. Following this, he went into business full time. Owen’s company has grown quickly; he now makes thousands of jars each year for shops, cafes, and restaurants, including Glamis Castle. He has extended his product range to include a variety of preserves and fruitinfused gins. Undoubtedly, Owen’s enterprising spirit and dogged
For Owen, the greatest loss has been the cancellation of all the summer events he would usually attend: “I think that is the biggest thing we’ll miss because being able to have a laugh and sell directly to the customer is so important.” Owen believes there should be more opportunities in schools for young people to gain an insight into enterprise and see different versions of success; “I was useless at school, I hated it – I wanted to get out there and do something. I want others to see it is possible.” @AngusJams
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Image: Lantra Scotland
CASE STUDY
c faRM Jakob at his organi
JAKOB EUNSON Shetland
J
akob is 22 years old and lives in Uradale, Shetland Isles, approximately three minutes outside Scalloway, the ancient Island capital. He farms an organic enterprise with his father and predominantly runs native Shetland breeds. It is a complete “field to fork” business; not only is Jakob a farmer, but he is also a trained butcher who supplies the farm’s lamb and beef direct to wholesalers and retailers. “All the meat is under the brand name of Uradale Farm and I take [livestock] straight from the abattoir and I butcher for the customer and I also supply cafés restaurants and other butchers.
“Sport in Shetland is very big and if you’re a part of a sports team – rugby, football, netball or hockey - it’s a great social thing. I’d feel bad for those not into those types of sports and who are more interested in indoor activities. It can be limited here in terms of that.” With such a small community, friendship has no age limit and there are strong intergenerational ties on Shetland, as there are among many of the other island communities the Rural Youth Project has been involved with.
“It’s not just the older generation who do everything, they depend on the young for work but also to keep the community and economy going.”
“The majority of the beef goes straight to country shops. I mostly do everything myself, but I have three trained butchers that I use if I’m stretched a bit thin. However, the majority of the time it’s all just me.” Although Jakob has been busy building both of his businesses, he has experienced personal and professional obstacles living in such a remote location. “[Distance to the mainland] limits what I can do for my business. It’s exactly the same issue socially, certainly
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sports help.
“There’s a strong connection. The older ones teach the younger ones skills for work and because it is an island, we all depend on each other to make things work. It’s not just the older generation who do everything, they depend on the young for work but also to keep the community and economy going.”
Despite the challenges, Jakob has a strong connection with Shetland. “The scenery is fantastic; the folk of Shetland are so nice and it’s so safe. I never worry about where I’m going. It’s not like London, there’s no knife crime or other issues that are faced down in the cities, so it’s nice that I don’t have to be watching my back. Unless something was to drastically change, it will always be home.”
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Image: Craig Stephen Photography
RURAL LEARNING, SKILLS & EDUCATION
T
here are clear challenges associated with education, employment, and training for all young people across the globe. But many of the fundamental issues discussed above regarding transport, accommodation, careers advice, emotional and financial support, and connectivity have an impact regardless of whether or not a rural young person engages in further education and training. The findings of the 2018 Rural Youth Project survey suggest high levels of educational attainment among the respondents - with 83% having a further or higher education outcome. 45% of respondents have attended university 31% of respondents attended college 17% of respondents only attained secondary education 7% are engaging in post-graduate studies
7% 17%
31% attended college
as, Fife
However, what lies beneath the positive statistics above, are some very real and difficult barriers to education and training in rural areas for young people.
“Lack of opportunities in rural areas for university therefore had to move to Melbourne.” “[There is a] lack of education opportunities unless you’re going on to do A levels or planning to go to university. No variety in courses. The college seems to offer no parttime or short courses for that, or anything interesting and as someone who needs to work but would like to further their education; it makes it hard.”
post-grad studies
attained secondary education
Ben D ougl
45
%
attended university
When we scratch beneath the surface, what we have found is that there is certainly a desire to see more education and skills training opportunities provided to rural young people, but on a broader level, it is connectivity that is viewed as most essential for the future of employment and education in rural areas.
“I am studying journalism and currently struggle severely to find any work experience that is not far away. WiFi /3G is very limited.”
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Image: Craig Stephen Photography
CASE STUDY
LUKE TAYLOR
West LotHian
L
uke Taylor has lived and worked in West Lothian for most of his life.
After a week of work experience with his local ranger service, Luke decided to leave school and begin a threeyear-long apprenticeship which he has now completed. “I have been working as a ranger now for the past three years and over that time my job has revolved around looking after the countryside and encouraging people to get outdoors and enjoy nature.” Luke’s passion for rangering and land-based industries is evident. “My role as a ranger has allowed me to make that connection to nature that I never really had growing up. I think because I am not from a city or the countryside it has allowed me to enjoy my job more because of the places it can take me, be that country parks, hillsides, seashores or the middle of Edinburgh. Rangering allows me to connect with both the land and its people, providing a service to protect, sustain and educate people about everything outdoors. Ranger services are all over Scotland, the UK and the world and work towards the same global goal. I thoroughly enjoy what I do and I hope my passion for rangering can encourage others as well, in particular people my age.”
of the people they interact with and provide a service for are either not aware they exist or know what a ranger does. “We provide education to thousands of schools and children every year but one of the few things I see is people entering rangering from a young age. I feel moving forward we need to provide better land-based career advice to kids at secondary schools when they are starting to think about what jobs they want to do in the future. One of the ways we can hopefully start to raise awareness is through apprenticeships and media coverage of what ranger services do.
“My role as a ranger has allowed me to make that connection to nature that I never really had growing up”
With the unfortunate decline of Ranger Services across Scotland, Luke recognises that there are major challenges with lack of publicity and interest from young people. “I think ranger services face the problem that the majority
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As a solution, Luke has created a new podcast titled The Rambling Ranger.
“I wanted to create something that allowed me the freedom to talk about my job as a ranger. Having been exposed to The Rural Youth Project podcast I decided I wanted to create my own. I enjoy talking to people, and doing interviews felt quite natural. The podcast gives me an opportunity to speak to lots of different people and share their stories which have been influential to me. Rangers are not that widely known about or understood, so by talking to rangers themselves I hope people will get a better understanding first-hand. “I never pictured myself ever hosting something like a podcast, but I am enjoying the experience so far. I have been an influencer for my industry and Rangers for over a year now and I hope to continue doing so in every way I can.” @RamblingRangerP
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STAYING CONNECTED
W
hile there were a variety of responses both positive and negative about the issue of connectivity and the extent to which it impacts upon the lives of the respondents, there are widespread concerns across all groups regarding access and quality. This is also a concern that arises repeatedly at the Rural Youth Project events. The dominant proportion of respondents consider their 3G and 4G signal to be poor, with only 13% citing access to highspeed broadband infrastructure (fibre and satellite) and 36% have speeds below 4MB/S (suggesting it is either poor or very poor).
“Internet speeds hinder how much I can work from home.”
Covid19 lockdown, the access provided by fast and reliable connection to the internet assumes even greater importance in sustaining rural communities. If there was one single thing that policymakers must do to encourage young people to live rurally and run rural businesses, it would be to invest in high-speed broadband.
“[Government] could support the small rural communities who need improved mobile network and broadband connectivity the most – allowing these
If there was one single thing that policymakers must do to encourage young people to live rurally and run rural businesses, it would be to invest in high-speed broadband.
Over half of our respondents, and most Rural Youth Project vloggers, use their internet connection to access training and education and over 20% use it specifically for business activities or opportunities.
“I’m currently splitting my time between Sydney and Rydal. The reason for that is I don’t have access to high-speed broadband to do my job…It is something stopping me from moving back to my rural home.” What is clear from all the responses gathered, is that the connection and access that the internet affords is vital and is a key concern for all young people living in rural areas. Without connectivity, employment and life opportunities are severely diminished. This has a direct impact upon social, business and community relations and activities. Nearly 100% of respondents answered that broadband is essential to their future and with the limitations on physical communication during the
communities to grow economically and socially.” “Mobile service is not very good in certain locations; internet connectivity and speed can be challenging although has improved drastically in recent years.” This lack of basic infrastructure not only negatively impacts business, but it is creating a vacuum of digital and physical isolation that is deleteriously affecting mental health. During the2020 Covid-19 pandemic, young people used their digital skills to feel connected. Close to 60% of rural young people cite that their broadband quality has deteriorated due to increased usage. This has negative implications for their lives and mental health because it restricts social connections and the ability to work from home. Connectivity limitations also have practical implications, such as route to market for micro-businesses or access to online training.
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Image: Rural Youth Project
CASE STUDY
DONALD MACKINNON Isle of lewis
A
fter studying Politics and Geography at Glasgow University, Donald returned home to the Isle of Lewis with a determination to build a life for himself working the land, and a commitment to building a strong future for the island. Donald is a crofter, grazing his flock of sheep on the common and croft land, producing store lambs and meat which he sells locally. “I wanted to come home; Crofting was a big part of that.”
Like most crofters, Donald also works another job. Both of the positions Donald has held since returning to the island have focused on community development. First, as a Development Officer for a community association, and now in his role working for the Urras Oighreachd Chàrlabhaigh (Carloway Estate Trust) Community Land Trust. At present, Donald is working on the large-scale redevelopment of a former school.
“This project will provide services and facilities for that community that they desperately need.”
Passionate and committed to crofting, Donald is the Vice Chairman of The Scottish Crofting Federation, through which he represents crofters and campaigns to make crofting more accessible to new entrants.
“There is no doubt that the most active crofters are getting older, but recently we’ve seen more young people getting interested.” Donald jumps at opportunities to network with his local and wider community, leveraging the power of ideas platforms – one example is his involvement with the Outer Hebrides LEADER Local Action Group; “It is a great chance for you to get involved and talk about how we can
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make the islands a better place for young people to live ”.
The community bought the Carloway Primary School in 2017 and has been raising funds since to refurbish and repurpose the building. Inside the building, there will be a community shop, a community kitchen and office space which will be used by a variety of businesses and organisations, including the Community Land Trust. “Currently, there is no shop in the village, and it is a 24-mile round trip to get a pint of milk which is not viable really for that community.” “This project will provide services and facilities for that community that they desperately need and will make it sustainable in the long term.”
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“I think connectivity is really important, particularly in rural areas. Having a good broadband connection is vital now – it’s an essential part of everyday life. In the village where I live, we don’t have great broadband at the minute, it’s hopefully going to be improved. But I think other parts of the island are seeing the benefits that high-speed broadband can deliver; people can work from home, people can connect with anyone, anywhere in the world and – it doesn’t matter where you are – people can do a variety of jobs. That’s going to be really important for the islands going forward.”
Proud of the island and hopeful for the future, Donald is clear that there are many opportunities for young people willing to relocate.
Image: Guardswell
One of the key challenges that Donald recognises is affecting the development of the island’s economy - as well as potentially making it less attractive for young people to live there – is the issue of connectivity.
“It is a great place to live, you have an excellent quality of life. It is a great place to grow up, so I think for people considering starting a family – it’s certainly a great place for kids. “Tourism is growing. There are opportunities for people to come up with innovative ideas for how we benefit from that and how we get the most value out of it. “There are also opportunities in crofting. There are crofts available. A lot of land isn’t being used. And for those who are interested in getting involved – there are opportunities available.”
Image: Donald MacKinnon
“It is a great place to grow up, so for people thinking about starting a family – it’s certainly a great place for kids.”
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Image: Angus LEADER
CASE STUDY
THE ENGINE EXCHANGE Scotland & Sweden
T
he ENGINE Exchange is a European LEADER funded project between Smaland in Sweden and a partnership between Angus, Perth and Kinross and Fife LEADER programmes. Fundamentally it is a work exchange scheme aimed at young people aged 18 – 25 years in Scotland and Sweden. It includes 10-day work experience placement in Sweden for 15 young people, while hosting 10 young people from Sweden in Scotland. Enormous credit must go to Rural Skills Scotland (RSS), the contractor appointed by LEADER that delivered all the engagement with young people and secured placements and hosts in both Scotland and in Sweden.
The young people selected were not all engaged in rural activites in Scotland – although predominantly forestry, arboriculture, and horticulture roles with others working rurally in youth-work, design, fashion or care. These young individuals came together with a group of entirely new people from their local geographical area. The Scottish group included young people from Angus, as well as Perth & Kinross and Fife, who are partner LEADER Local Action Groups (LAGs) for this initiative.
“The aim of the programme is to create ‘transnational communities’, united in their desire to live and work rurally.”
The aim of the programme is to create ‘transnational communities’, united in their desire to live and work rurally, and to combat some of the challenges that rural youth face, like social isolation.
The ENGINE Project aims to broaden the perspectives and horizons of the young people engaged; not only giving them an insight into how others live in different rural areas and developing their understanding of rural development, community and enterprise in a different country, but providing key life experiences to which some have not previously had access.
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“It was about engaging with young people who would like to live and work in a rural area – setting them up to connect with each other, said David Tollick, Angus LEADER Coordinator.
The group met four times in Scotland allowing them to get to know each other, learn about the LEADER programme and finalise travel arrangements. For a couple of young people, this was the first time they had been on an aeroplane, for others – the first time they had left Scotland. “This was pretty major stuff for some of them,” said David Tollick. On arrival in Sweden, the group stayed together for
Q U A L I TAT I V E R E P O R T 2 0 2 0
three days with Swedish hosts whose task was to provide an introduction and orientation to the social and cultural context of the rural work they would be undertaking and the area that they would be living in. The young people were then dispersed into different work placements across Sweden that they had previously selected – some were in pairs and small groups, others on their own. Some of these placements were very similar to the roles they held at home; others required learning completely new skills. During this time, they stayed with Swedish host families experiencing full cultural immersion. The group came back together for two days’ reflection and a debrief with the Swedish group hosts providing an opportunity to exchange stories and compare experiences, as well as discuss their observations and reflect upon the programme. “[The young people] drew a lot of distinctions between their work environment in Scotland and what they saw in Sweden.”
Returning to Scotland, the group had one final chance to come together formally with RSS and the Scottish LEADER staff, providing the young people with a platform to feed back their ideas which will help shape the programme for others in the future. One of the biggest successes of The ENGINE project is the fact that the young people themselves have chosen to stay in contact as friends; “It built a community between people of that age group who didn’t really have the ‘I want to live and work in a rural area’ kind of community to engage with previously”. Upon their return, all the young people reflected in a survey that the exchange had enhanced their personal development significantly. The role the exchange has had in building self-confidence, resilience and independence in young people is evident. For some, it has significantly widened their skill set and future employability and for others, it has opened up a completely new life path– with one young person now committing to extended work experience in Sweden.
“The young people drew a lot of distinctions between their work environment in Scotland and what they saw in Sweden.”
Image: Craig Stephen Photography
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RURALLY CHALLENGED TRANSIT public tr an
sp
61%
VERY POOR
It is unsurprising that 78% of respondents use a car/van as the most frequent mode of transport.
“Living in a rural area you always rely on a car to get anywhere and I prefer to walk or take public transport when I can.” “If my car breaks down it’s impossible to get anywhere as there’s no public transport.” Significantly more respondents described public transport in their area as “poor” or “very poor” (61%).
“They absolutely need to intervene with the state of public transport. It’s so unreliable.” When asked about the biggest issue facing youth in rural communities, one respondent answered:
“Travel time and distance. Public transport to major cities is few and far between. The nearest train station doesn’t have regular trains to Glasgow/ Edinburgh.” It is apparent that access to transport has a significant impact on the professional and social lives of rural youth:
“When I was at school (9-12 years of age), I caught a bus to my boarding school at 7am Monday, returned 5:30pm Friday. Now at university, it’s a three-hour trip to home, and 7 hours to Sydney on the train, plus flying is expensive (A$170 one way).” “Cuts to bus services have made getting to work or having a social life very difficult for local people.” Transport is a recurring challenge and an issue repeatedly discussed at Rural Youth Project events.
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o r area? you in
How w ou ld
be scri e d ou
rt
“I used to be able to rely on the buses without driving, but Stagecoach is my only service option and they have cut the services and increased the prices. I’m learning to drive now because I can’t rely on it.”
y
C
onnectivity does not only apply to broadband. Transport is an issue that is repeatedly cited as needing significant improvement in rural areas. Rural young people expressed their need for improved public transport and made the point that their need for improved services is greater than their urban peers because the distances that they need to travel are often greater.
78
%
USE A CAR/VAN FOR FREQUENT TRANSPORT
Q U A L I TAT I V E R E P O R T 2 0 2 0
CASE STUDY
unfortunately, it isn’t the only barrier. “Many people on Jura are professionals in lots of different fields, but there is often this idea that islanders are not well educated, skilled or cultured. This is far from the truth. “Could there be an accreditation system for Islander employers?
AMY DUNNACHIE Isle of jura
J
ura is an untouched island within the Inner Hebrides but its untamed beauty is tempered by its harsh weather and isolation. Amy Dunnachie grew-up on Jura before moving to the mainland to study silversmithing at the Glasgow School of Art. After graduating, Amy decided to move back to “the mountains and coastline” she calls home. “I always knew I wanted to come back to Jura at some point. Family connection is a big reason why my partner and I decided to be based on Jura, as our families live here. It was more important for my partner who has a deeper emotional connection, with much more of his immediate family being based here.” But moving back was not an easy transition. “Job prospects for young people, or anyone really, can be one of the biggest difficulties [here]. There’s not a lot of choice and I, personally, have no job security. The main industry people work in is hospitality – shop, hotel, distillery. At one stage I was working three jobs across two islands.” Amy used to travel from Jura to Islay three to four times a week for one of her jobs. This consisted of Amy using one car on Jura to drive to the ferry - which costs £65 for a book of five return tickets - to Islay where Amy had another car which she needed to travel to work. “Many islanders require two cars for use between islands with most keeping a beat-up car on Jura and a nicer car on Islay. This helps to keep the cost down, and helps to keep your ‘good car’ in decent nick - the roads on Jura are not well maintained.”
“Unfortunately, internet infrastructure is currently a barrier to achieving this. Generally speaking, the internet is pretty rubbish on Jura, although 3G and 4G are slowly getting better. With a small pool of internet providers providing poor coverage and poor customer service, it remains a challenge.” Inadequate infrastructure is not restricted to an internet connection - a lack of long-term rental accommodation has also proven to be difficult. “A massive challenge on islands - not just Jura - is available housing, with a real lack of a secure rental property market. There is a high incidence of second home ownership, meaning that many houses lie empty for much of the year,” said Amy. “My partner and I are living in a caravan on his parent’s farm for now. We were living in a house on a private estate (intended for the gamekeeper who doesn’t require housing), but it was very expensive to maintain and heating was inefficient, so it was very cold in the winter. We’re very lucky that both our parents have crofts and that we have the option to build in the future, but for now, this works.” Although faced with challenges, island culture and the community have been a comfort to Amy. With only 200 permanent residents on the island, the percentage of 16 – 29-year olds sits at a low 8.2%; Scotland’s nationwide figure is 18.5%. “One of the best things about living on an island, with a small community, is that you are friends with everyone no matter what their age; we have friends aged from 18 – 94. “Many have come back to start their family, though a lot of folk I went to school with have left. The opportunities on Jura to connect with people are there with a thriving social calendar. “We are a really caring community and I think that intergenerational friendships are a big part of this - there is a window into different perspectives that allows for a deeper level of respect. The word resilience gets thrown around a lot – but on Jura, we prefer to be known as resourceful.”
Travel for work is a long and costly process, but @AmyDunnachie
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KNOW THY NEIGHBOUR Community & Society
ENTS ARE OF RESPOND SOCIALISERS T N UE EQ FR IN
A sense of community is more than a good feeling and can affect the social value of living in a rural area.
“I love the sense of community in my village, the fact that I know if I needed help, I would get it from my neighbours and that I would do the same for them. I also love being surrounded by nature, I often take my dogs for walks at the beach or up the glens because it’s so beautiful. I also think that you learn a lot from being in a rural area that I wouldn’t learn from growing up/living in a city.” Only 7% of respondents considered their community as “deprived” and the majority considered they lived in a community they would best describe as “comfortable”. This feeling of ‘community’ can partly be attributed to social and community groups in rural areas. The most popular group identified by respondents are: •
Young Farmers’ Associations;
•
Local sporting groups; and,
•
Community councils.
Most respondents (70%) socialised at least once a week, but in contrast almost one-third of respondents were infrequent socialisers, seeing others no more than once or twice a month. The Rural Youth Project events have suggested a link between the lack of social interaction and the increasingly widespread mental health challenges faced by rural young people. This experience of physical and emotional isolation is resulting in a disconnect from community for some rural youth. When asked about one of the biggest issues facing young people in rural areas, one respondent said:
“Socialising and meeting new people, building a social network - particularly in winter. Having moved from a busy city with lots to do and lots of friends, it can feel quite isolating and difficult to meet other young people.” Many participants were keen to freely offer a view, positive or negative and the general consensus is that there is strong interest in having more activities to meet people in rural areas.
Image: Craig Stephen Photography
2019 Idea s Festiva l Ceilidh , Lanarksh ire
“Having moved from a busy city with lots to do and lots of friends, it can feel quite isolating and difficult to meet other young people.” 28
Q U A L I TAT I V E R E P O R T 2 0 2 0
MELISSA REILLY lanarkshire
H
aving grown up in Lanark herself, Melissa Reilly is now in an ideal position to be supporting her community through her role as Development Manager for the Lanark Community Development Trust. This is a charitable, non-for-profit body which carries out projects for the common good – be it social, economic, or environmental. The projects aim to have mutual benefits; helping Lanark to fulfil its potential, and the volunteers to fulfil theirs. The projects help raise the profile of Lanark, creating a positive ‘brand image’ for the town, while helping the volunteers to connect, develop their skills and ultimately to build stronger community relations. For Melissa, building these partnerships is at the heart of establishing a thriving rural community.
Image: Lanark Community Development Trust
CASE STUDY
affordable housing and connectivity.” However, Melissa’s outlook is positive, and she is keen to focus on the opportunities that the geographical and rural location affords. “Living in Lanark, I think young people are actually fairly lucky in terms of the opportunities that we have, in that we are basically right in between Glasgow and Edinburgh and we have commuting links to both those cities. We also have a really active community with lots of clubs, societies and activities that young people can get involved with.” Melissa is passionate about the opportunities that can arise through volunteering. Not only is this a chance to boost CV credentials, but it can help develop a wide range of vital social skills and broaden perspectives through meeting a diverse range of people with whom one would not ordinarily cross paths.
“We have an active community with lots of clubs, societies and activities that young people can get involved with.”
One project that demonstrates the wide-reaching benefits of the trust’s activity, is the Castlebank Horticultural Centre which occupies formerly derelict land in a public park in Lanark. This project – now 10 years old - has involved the complete regeneration of Castlebank’s gardens by a team of volunteers, as well as the creation of the horticultural training centre. Melissa is proud of the wider community impact this project now has, partly due to the employment of a full-time educational gardener, enabled by National Lottery community funding. Through this role, the Trust is now able to engage with a range of community groups, schools and organisations; bringing people together through a vibrant calendar of events, activities and workshops that aim to connect people to their environment and develop their horticultural skills. In her role as development manager, Melissa is all too aware of the challenges facing young people in rural communities. Here, “there are the same challenges which I think exist across rural areas in Scotland, like limited
“Volunteering is a fantastic opportunity for young people living in rural areas; personally, enabling them to socialise and mix with people of all different backgrounds and walks of life, people they might not typically come across either through school or their own social groups. Professionally, I think its hugely important for them to ‘dip their toe’ in different industries and for their CV. In my experience, it is not so much about what qualifications you have. Employers are looking for you to have actual real-life experience and volunteering is a great way to get that.” The fact remains, however, that organisations and young people are not always connected and able to reap the benefits of these mutually beneficial partnerships. To help organisations to engage more effectively with young people, Melissa suggests they should, “Partner up with different organisations that might provide links with youth services or local schools, and make your volunteer opportunity as flexible as possible - because people are doing it within their busy lives”. @_Melissa247
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13%
REPRESENTATION
“Being a part of a rural community has its perks and advantages but the biggest challenge would be getting the government to understand how far out we are and being able to have facilities like the people on the coast do without having to pay an arm and a leg for it.” Almost half of the respondents believed they do not have a say in decisions affecting their communities. Only 13% believe that they do have a say with almost 40% stating that they have a say in some instances. Topics young people would like to have their voices heard on are: •
Transport & infrastructure
•
Education
•
Housing
•
Community & development facilities
“It’s a combination of local government and local youth. Creating grants for young people in regional Australia to start a business and the opportunity for them to join the council or other decision-making platforms to create leadership opportunity.” “[We need] better understanding of the fragile nature of remote communities and opportunities put in place to create better standards of living through infrastructure and access to ‘mainland’ opportunities.” “It’s also more challenging being more and more removed from our urban counterparts who are making decisions for us, but don’t necessarily take the time to learn about what we are doing and why we are doing it that way on the farm. Now more than ever, we need our government defending us and supporting us.” In the 2020 Rural Youth Project Covid-19 survey, young people were asked what demands they have for government to help improve their immediate situation. Improvement in broadband connectivity and mental health services account for over 50% of responses. Income support and business/enterprise support follow as the key demands from young people in rural areas. Broadband & Mental Health Services were the biggest demands
Josse ha arhu Netherla is, nds @pigsofthefuture
30
of respondent
Image: Craig Stephen Photography
“Now more than ever, we need our government defending us and supporting us.”
Believe they have a say in some instances.
s
I
t is clear that rural young people are keen to contribute positively to the future of their communities. However, the research and sentiments expressed show they feel they lack the skills, confidence, and opportunities as well as the platforms to communicate with and influence community decision-makers to ignite positive changes.
Believe they have a say.
40%
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“Younger and older together is very powerful.” DJ Kloet, Netherlands Image: Craig Stephen Photography
TALKIN’ BOUT MY GENERATION
S
trategies to improve representation and business opportunities, intergenerational mentorship and the ability these have to empower young people to create positive change, has been a recurring theme within Rural Youth Project activities. The Rural Youth Project itself is an example of how intergenerational partnership and mentorship can have a positive impact on rural communities. Rural Youth Project Directors Jane Craigie and Rebecca Dawes are a generation apart in age but have formed a strong partnership that can positively impact the community.
“Too often there is a disconnect between generations with some assumptions that they have nothing in common. I’ve experienced first-hand how intergeneration mentorship gives a mutual understanding of the other’s perspective. Together we are stronger.” Providing intergenerational opportunities has been a focus of the Rural Youth Project and in May 2019, five Rural Youth Project delegates joined 15 graduates of the Scottish Enterprise Rural Leadership Programme on a five-day Learning Journey to the Netherlands to
explore the urban/rural divide, business innovation and sustainability. The post-journey survey discovered that 82% found positive value in mixing seasoned business managers with Rural Youth Project delegates.
“Younger and older together is very powerful. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. In this transition towards a more sustainable world, we need to change together. From young till old. It’s not, we, and, them, it is, us.” When pressed on the benefits of combining multigenerations, one respondent answered:
“It’s a much better representation of the population. There will always be young and old in every sector. The young gain confidence from the old and the old are infected with enthusiasm and energy by the youth.” The successful and positive integration of the young and the young at heart has prompted multiple informal mentoring partnerships and a desire for a formalised programme. Over 82% of respondents expressed interest in joining a future mentoring programme between the Rural Youth Project and the Scottish Enterprise Rural Leaders Programme.
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Image: Rural Youth Project
CASE STUDY
Anne at work in the fo od hub
, Horner Sheena ader Le Rural r Horne
ena @She
ANNE KELSO ayrshire
G
rowing up in the villages of east Ayrshire means that you are automatically faced with unique socio-economic challenges that are further exacerbated by isolation and lack of services.
“I grew up in poverty. But when I grew up in poverty, we had community as well. There was a network of people that were in the same situation and willing to help you.
East Ayrshire is one of the most deprived areas of Scotland. It suffers from poverty, lack of employment opportunities, poor health, as well as high incidence of crime and drug-use. All of its villages fall into the bottom 15% for deprivation, and the village that Anne grew up in fell into the lowest 5%.
“My mum was really savvy and knew how to grow food, she knew how to cook food, and she knew how to make food last. She thickened it up, to thin it out to spread it out and because of that, nobody in my house ever went hungry.”
As Anne puts it, these statistics do not really show what life was like growing up in a rural area.
Anne is a food worker at Ayrshire Food Hub which started in 2011. Ayrshire Food Hub wants to restore that sense of community, and one of the ways it plans to do that is through community growing. East Ayrshire is blessed with a lot of green spaces – a lot of unused green spaces – and Ayrshire Food Hub wants them in order to grow food. The team has already been in contact with sports halls, schools, nurseries and other companies that have potential space.
“The reality is that a lot of people are living in poverty – and this is amplified by isolation.”
“I grew up in one of the three villages in East Ayrshire that fall into the bottom 5% [for deprivation], and in my year at school, there were 16 children. Three of those kids finished school, three went to university, seven have criminal records, nine were teenage parents, seven are employed and seven are drug users. “The reality is that a lot of people are living in poverty – and this is amplified by isolation.
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“The pram that I was pushed in had 12 other children in it before me – and my mum gave it away after I used it.
Ayrshire Food Hub is now expanding so that Anne and the team can continue to be a pillar for the community within East Ayrshire.
Q U A L I TAT I V E R E P O R T 2 0 2 0
RURAL RESILIENCE
Image: Craig Stephen Photography
Claire taylor, Ayr
M
ental health is a subject repeatedly raised, and without prompting, by Rural Youth Project delegates and vloggers. “Combatting loneliness and that feeling of desolation, of not being connected to the outside world – but that’s why I think communities in rural settings are stronger.” Lack of mental health support through isolation from services is a major concern to rural young people. Beyond the emotional response, young people desire more effective long-term planning, rather than short-term relief to build greater resilience in their communities.
“I think it’s really important that everyone – not just young people – has access to mental health services in regional communities – we just don’t have that access at the moment.” “I think government agencies and health departments should be travelling around to small communities and educating people on what [mental health] services are available to them. I think this is incredibly important as a preventative health measure.”
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Since the outbreak of coronavirus, young people from rural areas are keenly feeling the implications of social isolation, in particular mental health. Over 60% of young people in the 2020 Covid-19 survey state that they are ‘worried’ or ‘very worried’ about the effect of coronavirus on them personally with close to 30% of young people stating that they would like immediate help from government and local authorities to improve mental health services.
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RYP ACTIVITIES Story-seeking & telling Knowledge transfer through case studies.
Young Rural Change Makers Programme
Community Toolkit
A programme for young people to build their confidence and develop new skills in enterprise, activism, community building, communications and leadership.
Young people vlogging Following the lives of young people through vlogs.
RYP Drop-in/CafĂŠ
Rural Youth Project Smart Village Rural Youth Podcast Award winning podcast giving a rich insight into the lives of young people living in the countryside The podcast is kindly sponsored by Interagro.
Hyper-connected online platform for young people.
Rural Youth Manifesto
RYP Magazine News, stories and reports from rural areas.
Community toolkits are in development to help rural communities better engage and support young people in rural areas.
Using the sentiments and data from project research to formulate a Rural Youth Manifesto which will be presented to the Scottish Parliament.
Creating a virtual space where young people can come and hear from inspiring speakers, gain new knowledge and skills, and foster a supportive network.
International Outreach The project fosters international relationships and learning via learning journeys and joint events with other nations.
Here’s a taster of some of the other case studies and activity you can find on our website!
Miriam Hamilton
Austen Morley
Gini Dickinson
Phil Anderson
Outer Hebrides
Daniella Damptey Angus
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Isle of Jura
Aberdeenshire
Scottish Borders
Q U A L I TAT I V E R E P O R T 2 0 2 0
“If young people can build vibrant lives in rural places, they become the lifeblood of that area�
Image: Craig Stephen Photography
Catriona Bullivant, Scottish Highlands
35
FINAL WORD The findings and sentiments in this report and the 2018 Quantitative Report will inform the basis of a Rural Youth Manifesto which will include recommendations and requests for the government to better support and attract young people to rural areas. The manifesto will also support continued work in 2019 and 2020
36
Q U A L I TAT I V E R E P O R T 2 0 2 0
All images on this page: Craig Stephen Photography
37
BREEZE AND FREEZE
PARTNERS
breezeandfreeze.co.uk /breezeandfreeze
ANGUS LEADER
@breezeandfreeze
angusleader.co.uk /LEADERAngus
BRUICHLADDICH DISTILLERY
@LEADERAngus
bruichladdich.com /bruichladdich
LANARKSHIRE LEADER southlanarkshire.gov.uk/LEADER OUTER HEBRIDES LEADER outerhebridesleader.co.uk /outerhebridesleader @LEADEROuterHeb
@P_KLeader
CF EVENTS @sw_farmer
SCOTTISH BORDERS LEADER scottishbordersleader.co.uk/ /Scottish-BordersLEADER-1002604229794713/
CoDeL codel.scot/about-codel CORALBOX GIFT SHOP ecwid.com/store/coralbox
SCOTTISH ENTERPRISE
facebook.com/coralboxgiftshop
scottish-enterprise.com
@coralboxshop FOUNDING PARTNER
JANE CRAIGIE MARKETING janecraigie.com /JCMandCo @jcmandco
CAPE CLEAR FARMERS MARKET @capeclearfarmersmarket
/PerthKinrossLEADERFunding
@JCMandCo
thebuildingworkshop.co.uk @ben_rosemary
pkleader.org
@scotent
BUILDING WORKSHOP /buildingworkshoparchitect
RURAL PERTH AND KINROSS LEADER
/scottishenterprise
@bruichladdich @bruichladdich
FOUNDING PARTNER
@coralboxgiftshop CP&CO
ANDERSON ANDERSON BROWN aab.uk /AABLLP @AAB_Accountants AYRSHIRE FOOD HUB
@GAJinfo
FOOD PUNKS foodpunks.co.uk /FoodPunks-1605047466374046/ @punks_food @food.punks FUNKIBATOR funkibator.se /Funkibator @funkibatorn @funkibatordraken GALLOWAY CHILLIES gallowaychillies.co.uk /GallowayChillies @GallowayChilli GiniBeaniFairy ginibeanifairy.com /ginibeanifairy @ginibeanifairy GROWBIZ MENTORING growbiz.co.uk/mentoring GROWBIZ SCOTLAND
@iagrm INTERNATIONAL FEDERATIONS OF AGRICULTURAL JOURNALISTS ifaj.org /groups/IFAJournalists @ifaj INTERAGRO interagro.co.uk @InteragroUK ISLE OF JURA DEVELOPMENT TRUST juradevelopment.co.uk /juradevelopment @juradevelopment J & H MITCHELL jandhmitchell.com /J-H-MitchellSolicitors-and-EstateAgents-1583198431990453/ LANARK COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRUST lanarktrust.co.uk facebook.com/LanarkCDT/ @LanarkTrust @lanarkcomdevtrust
@cpandcompany
@Grow_Biz @growbizperthshire
CRAIG STEPHEN PHOTOGRAPHY
LANTRA scotland.lantra.co.uk
GUARDSWELL FARM
/lantrascotland
/perthcommercialphotographers
guardswell.co.uk
@lantraScotland
@cstephenphoto
/guardswell
@lantra.scotland
@craigstephenphoto
@guardswellfarm
CREATIVE RURAL INDUSTRIES CONSORTIUM ruralculture.org.uk/about-us CROWDFUNDER UK crowdfunder.co.uk /crowdfunder @crowdfunderuk
/GAJinfo
/IAgrM1
facebook.com/growbizscotland
/AyrshireFoodHub
gaj.org.uk
iagrm.org.uk
/cpandcompany
@crowdfunderuk
BRITISH GUILD OF AGRICULTURAL JOURNALISTS
enrd.ec.europa.eu @ENRD_CP
growbiz.co.uk
crossroadshub.co.uk @ayrshirefood
INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT
cpco.design
craig-stephen.co.uk
ENGAGEMENT DIRECTORY
EUROPEAN NETWORK FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT
EatFarmNow eatfarmnow.com
@guardswellfarm GREAT PLACES LAKES AND DALES
LLOND BOL mailchi.mp/75d42e62c770/llond_bol
LOOM GRAPHICS
lakesanddales.org
loomgraphics.com
/GPLakesDales
/loomgraphics
@GP_LakesDales
@loom.graphics
@greatplace_lakesanddales HENRY PLUMB FOUNDATION thehenryplumbfoundation.org.uk HOMETOWN BREW
FOUNDING PARTNER
MCMULLAN STUDIO mcmullanstudio.com @McmullanStudio @mcmullanstudio MDS
/Eatfarmnow
hometownbrew.com
@eatfarmnow
/hometownbrewco
mds-ltd.co.uk
@eatfarmnow
@HTBCbeer
/MDSLtd1986
@hometownbrewco
@mds_updates @managementdevelopmentservices
38
Q U A L I TAT I V E R E P O R T 2 0 2 0 RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PARTNERSHIP (USA)
nfus.org.uk
rcap.org
/nfuscotland
RURAL ENTERPRISE DIRECTORY SCOTLAND
nfyfc.org.uk /nfyfc @NFYFC
/RuralEnterpriseDirectoryScotland FOUNDING PARTNER
ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT
@REDS_Scotland
ruralyoutheurope.com /ruralyoutheurope
@oecd
@RYEurope
@the_OECD
@ruralyoutheurope
OWEN’S ANGUS JAMS owensangusjams.co.uk /owensangusjams @angusjams @owensangusjams PIGME buitengewonevarkens.nl/bestellen /BuitengewoneVarkens @pigsofthefuture @pigme.nl PLUNKETT FOUNDATION plunkett.co.uk /plunkettfoundation @plunkettfoundat @plunkettfoundation QUALITY MEAT SCOTLAND qmscotland.co.uk /QualityMeatScotland @qmscotland @qmscotland RAMBLING RANGER PODCAST @RamblingRangerP RHASS rhass.org.uk /royalhighlandandagriculturalsocietyofscotland @The_RHASS RINGLINK PRE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME ringlinkscotland.co.uk/pre-apprenticeship @ringlink RSABI rsabi.org.uk/Home-Page /RSABI.ORG
FOUNDING PARTNER
/TweeddaleYouth @tweeddaleyouth
/carlowayestatetrust @UOCharlabhaigh @carlowayestatetrust
natwestgroup.com/our-purpose/ enterprise.html
WISTON LODGE wistonlodge.com /WistonLodge
SAMH
@wistonlodge
samh.org.uk /SAMHmentalhealth
WORKS +
@samhtweets
worksplus.works
@samhscotland
/works.plus.scottishborders
SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION OF YOUNG FARMERS CLUBS
YOUTH BORDERS youthborders.org.uk
sayfc.org
/YouthBorders
/SAYFC @sayfc
FOUNDING PARTNER
@officialsayfc SCOTTISH FARMER
@youthborders YORKSHIRE DALES NATIONAL PARK yorkshiredales.org.uk
thescottishfarmer.co.uk
/yorkshiredales
/scottishfarmer
FOUNDING PARTNER
@scottishfarmer SCOTTISH RURAL ACTION
@yorkshire_dales @yorkshiredales YOUTH SPACE FIFE
sra.scot
youthspacefife.co.uk
/scottishruralaction
FOUNDING PARTNER
@ScotRuralAction SCOTTISH RURAL NETWORK ruralnetwork.scot @scotruralnet
tweeddaleyouth.co.uk
carlowayestatetrust.co.uk
ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND
/scotruralnet
TWEEDDALE YOUTH ACTION
URRAS OIGHREACHD CHÀRLABHAIGH (Carloway Estate Trust Community Land Trust)
RURAL YOUTH EUROPE
/theOECD
FOUNDING PARTNER
@tweeddaleyouth
@REDS_Scotland
oecd.org/about
/preapprenticeship
@TheAdPlain
@RCAPInc
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUBS
theadplain.com /TheAdPlain
/RCAPInc
@NFUStweets
TAP
CONTACT DIRECTORY
NFU SCOTLAND
/YouthSpaceFife @YouthSpaceFife @youthspacefife YOUTHLINK SCOTLAND
FOUNDING PARTNER
@scottishruralnetwork SMART VILLAGE SCOTLAND
youthlinkscotland.org /YouthLinkScotland @YouthLinkScot @youthlinkscot
FOUNDING PARTNER
smartvillage.scot SUPPORT IN MIND SCOTLAND supportinmindscotland.org.uk /suppinmindscot @suppinmindscot @suppinmindscot
@RSABI @rsabi_
39
THE RURAL YOUTH PROJECT IS KINDLY SUPPORTED BY:
FOUNDING PARTNERS
@RYP2018
@RYP2018
/RuralYouthProject
Rural Youth Project
Rural Youth Project
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