Who are we? -

Originally named the Rural Community Council for Somerset, we are part of a nation-wide network of organisations working with rural communities on community development and regeneration initiatives.

Our Mission

To enhance life throughout Somerset by equipping rural communities to effect positive change.

Our Aims and Objectives

How do we do it?

We aim to help such communities by equipping and supporting local people to bring about positive change using their inherent resources, abilities and commitment. 

We try to deliver this vision through three particular types of services: 

¨       Face to face support of community organisations, guiding them through the planning and implementation of their improvement projects

¨       Providing an information service to apprise community organisations of such things as new legislation affecting their operation or new funding opportunities

¨       Linking projects together through a network of similar events. Through training events, newsletters and a directory of projects and contacts, successful projects serve as a resource for others and the wisdom and experience of one community can be shared across the county. 

The organisation has achieved the ACRE Quality Standard Level 3 and are continually monitoring our work using the Social Account process. 

Community Council For Somerset Social Accounts

The essence of social accounting is “accounting for what we do and listening to what others have to say so that future performance can be more effectively targeted at achieving the chosen objectives”.

It is a framework which will allow the Community Council for Somerset to build upon existing documentation and reporting procedures and develop a process whereby we can account for our social performance, report on that performance and develop an action plan that will enable us to improve our performance.  Through this, we will be able to understand the impact that we have on the community and therefore be accountable to our key stakeholders.

What makes it stand apart from many other monitoring methods is that the information gathered to produce social accounts is independently audited either by a qualified individual or through a Panel with a similarly qualified chair.

A summaries of the audited social accounts can be found on the publications page  Go to publications  

Who’s Who at the Community Council for Somerset 

Katherine Armstrong - Sedgemoor Rural Community Development Worker - Go to Sedgemoor Community Development page

Janine Atkinson - Social Inclusion Worker -  Go to Social Inclusion page

Katy Calvert - Field Officer-  Go to Community Projects page 

Matt Day - Somerset Market Towns Fprum Information Officer Go to Market Towns Forum page

Marjie Dorling - Administrative Officer             

Heather Enright – Data Officer                                 

Debbie Frankland – Rural Women's Network Project Worker  - link to Website

Karl Hine – Senior Rural Housing Enabler  Go to Rural Housing page

Sarah McKean – Community Development Manager ­Go to Community Projects 

Felix Marsh – Rural Housing Enabler  Go to Rural Housing page

David Smith – Chief Executive

Rachel Smith - Rural Development Worker - Hidden Somerset Project and Somerset Broadplaces Project

Pat Sollis – Community Adviser

Karen White – Office Manager & Finance Officer

Jane Wilson - Somerset Market Towns Forum Officer - Go to Market Towns Forum page

Eileen Zoers – Director Village Halls and Charity Support Go to  Village and Community Halls page

We are funded principally and supported by the following public organisations:

We also rely on support from our members and subscribers, which also shows the interest in our work across Somerset's rural communities.  We welcome sponsorship or donations to help enhance our rural communities.

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