Inventing our future Collective action for a sustainable economy

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Chapter 3 – Effective interventions
3.1 – SO7: To improve access to services, especially for disadvantaged groups
Promoting access in its broadest sense is fundamental to achieving social inclusion. A variety of mechanisms
can be used to improve access to services, and so increase take-up of services.
Improving access is often a case of reducing the need to travel by maximising the number of services
provided within a local community.
For example:
• in rural areas mobile units such as mobile libraries carry community information as well as delivering a
range of healthcare provision such as podiatry and screening services. Yet, mobile units are only effective
if everyone in the community, including those with a physical disability, is able to access the vehicle.
Advances in ICT mean there is scope to widen this range further to enable access to job opportunities
through virtual job centres, on-line training, shopping and banking
• the concept of the ‘one-stop shop’ reduces the need for services to be located separately. Village halls and
community centres are again becoming hubs of community activity with a range of services being delivered.
The village hall may include a local shop or Post Office service and in some rural communities the local pub
has become the focus for service provision, including access to a cash point, if not other banking services
• to thrive, market towns need to adapt to the demands of those living there and in the surrounding
area. They can be effective and sustainable hubs for retail and professional service provision,
helping to address social exclusion in the neighbouring hinterland. It is important not to overlook
the role of the private sector in delivering services such as local shops and pubs.
DEFRA’s Rural Services Standard sets out the levels of access to services which rural communities
can expect to achieve. It followed publication of the Rural White Paper in Nov 2000, which set out the
Government’s plan to deliver equitable access to everyday public services for people who live in rural areas.
In 2003, the Government introduced a target to improve rural services, focusing on primary healthcare,
post-16 education, public and community transport (SO7: 4), access to cash and e-Government information.
Again partnerships are key to delivering many of the innovative schemes and initiatives already in place.
In particular, partnerships involving the private sector to ensure that policies provide effective incentives
and disincentives encouraging providers to be both proactive and responsible in their provision for
disadvantaged consumers (Everyday Essentials: meeting basic needs, National Consumer Council, 2003).
Case study 30
The Participation Networks Forum (PNF)
The PNF is a group of Essex voluntary organisations which aims to give a voice to adult social care
service users and their carers. These include those with physical, sensory, learning and mental
impairments. Sponsored and supported by Essex County Council’s Adult Social Care team, the
PNF has been effective in influencing service improvements within the Council, for the benefit of
people with disabilities and the wider community.
A major piece of their work has been to develop the Disability Equality Scheme with Essex County
Council. The PNF will be monitoring the effectiveness of the scheme during the next three years.