News and events relevant to rural areas appears in our News & Events section (look for the RISS logo) and there are direct links to relevant stories below. 

News and Events

Inside Parliament A Guide - January 2012

Farm Watch (Leeds North West Outer) - December 2011

Reaching Communities Funding Update - December 2011

Rural Lifelines Report - October 2011

Localism Join the Debate Report - May 2011

Save Our Buses Campaign - March 2011

Funding Information

For funding advice and information please visit our Funding Support section.

Please note that in November 2011, some changes were made to the eligibility criteria of the buildings strand of the Big Lottery Fund's Reaching Communities programme, which may have some implications for rural groups.

The Metropolitan District of Leeds covers a far greater area than just the city of Leeds and so does VAL. We understand and respect the individual identity of towns such as Otley and Wetherby and the villages of Arthington, Harewood, East Keswick, Scarcroft, Bardsey, Linton, Clifford, Thorp Arch, Thorner, Aberford, Micklefield, Ledsham, Allerton Bywater and Methley to name just a few!

Our services are available to every church hall, parish centre, community centre, community group, voluntary organisation, charity, faith group and social enterprise in the District. We want to work closely with parish councils to ensure that rural issues are being addressed. As rural communities know only too well their issues are different. Obvious examples are: access to public transport, fuel costs, availability of broadband, flood and drainage issues and so it goes on.

We don't expect you to travel miles to see us. VAL's Small Groups Development Worker can arrange to meet you in your area. We don't expect you to travel miles to carry out a funding search - we can do that on your behalf. We don't expect you to travel miles for training - we can arrange bespoke training in your area. We are here to serve you! So why not get in touch.