"Play a leading and influential role nationally within the rural housing sector"
In the past year, English Rural made significant progress towards asserting a positive and influential presence in the national rural housing sector. Key to our strategy is our dedication to fostering good working relationships with stakeholders and policy makers, which we achieved by reinvigorating and expanding integral networks. Our partnerships with organisations such as the National Housing Federation, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), The Countryside Charity (CPRE), Action for Communities in Rural England (ACRE), Homes England, DEFRA, the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), the Centre for Homelessness Impact (CHI) and Homeless Link provided opportunities to make our voice heard in pivotal policy discussions.
We made a credible impact on the affordable rural housing sector with our research initiatives this year. In collaboration with the Universities of Kent and Southampton, we launched our most successful project to date, investigating 'hidden homelessness' in rural areas. This research brought to light an often-overlooked issue in rural communities and had significant influence. Concurrently, we worked with University College London on research about Rural Exception Sites, a subject that holds great potential to shape policy and practice. Two more research projects are underway, set to contribute valuable insights.
Recognising the increasing importance of digital engagement, we successfully expanded our reach, with our website user growth surging by 49%, and new users also seeing a substantial 50% increase. Our regional webinars, aimed at elevating the profile of affordable rural housing, further extended our online footprint.
Our media presence this year was both extensive and influential. Our successful participation in Rural Housing Week 2022 is a testament to our influence, accounting for nearly 30% of the sector's mentions and impressions. Coupled with our CEO's appearances in leading media outlets such as the BBC, we continued to solidify our influential role in the sector.
We've embraced digital means to connect with communities and stakeholders, overcoming geographical challenges and ensuring value from our advocacy efforts.
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Reinvigorated and expanded stakeholders and policy networks.
Successful research collaboration with Kent and Southampton Universities, resulting in a landmark campaign launch on rural homelessness.
A marked digital outreach expansion, with a 49% increase in website user growth and a 50% rise in new users.
Substantial impact during Rural Housing Week 2022, securing nearly 30% of sector mentions and impressions.
Increased visibility and influence through media presence.
Researchers from the Universities of Kent and Southampton present our research findings on rural homelessness.
>> A key lesson drawn from our successful campaign and research collaboration with the Universities of Kent and Southampton is the power of partnerships. This synergy not only resulted in our most impactful campaign launch to date, but also emphasised the crucial role of research in informing our strategic interventions and influencing the broader affordable rural housing discourse.
>> The heightened website user growth and increase in new users, while clearly a positive achievement, has underscored the necessity to continue investing in our digital infrastructure. Ensuring a seamless and user-friendly digital experience is critical in retaining these new users and translating increased digital presence into tangible benefits for our core mission.
>> The impact of Rural Housing Week 2022 on English Rural's visibility within the sector is a testament to the importance of targeted and event-driven advocacy. It signals the potential of strategic timing and coordinated initiatives in garnering attention and increasing our influence, but also raises the question of how to sustain this level of engagement and visibility outside of such flagship events.
