Working with Communities in the Derbyshire Dales:

A special place to live

The Derbyshire Dales is a beautiful and distinctive rural district, made up of market towns, villages and dispersed communities across a large geographical area. It is a popular tourist destination as well as a place where people care deeply about where they live. Community spirit is strong, and local groups, volunteers and community organisations play a vital role in supporting residents and strengthening local life.

Living in a rural area brings many benefits, but it can also create challenges that are often less visible than in urban areas. Long travel distances, limited public transport, patchy digital connectivity and reduced access to services can make everyday life more difficult, particularly for people who are older, isolated or facing financial pressures.

Rural life brings different challenges

The Derbyshire Dales has an ageing population and many long-established communities, where people often live and work in the same area for many years. This brings real strengths: strong local networks, local knowledge, a sense of belonging and communities that look out for one another.

At the same time, rural living can make some challenges harder to overcome. For older people in particular, travelling to appointments, accessing services, staying connected and finding support can be more difficult when distances are greater and public transport is limited.

While the Derbyshire Dales is often seen as an affluent area, local partners recognise that rural disadvantage can be hidden. People may experience loneliness, financial pressures, housing challenges or difficulty accessing support, even in communities that appear prosperous.

What local evidence tells us

What we hear from communities reflects what local evidence and strategic partners tell us. Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire Dales District Council and health partners across Derbyshire all recognise the impact that rurality can have on people’s health, wellbeing and ability to access support.

Shared priorities across local strategies include reducing isolation, improving wellbeing, helping people remain independent, strengthening community resilience and ensuring that services are accessible to people living in rural communities.

These priorities reflect what local people tell us every day: strong local connections and trusted community organisations are essential in helping people live well and remain connected to their communities.

Why community support matters

In rural areas, community organisations often provide more than activities and services. They help people stay connected, access information, find support and build relationships that improve wellbeing and resilience.

Local groups and volunteers are often the first to notice when someone is struggling and the first to offer practical help. They create opportunities for people to participate in community life, reduce isolation and strengthen the social connections that help communities thrive.

This community infrastructure is a vital part of supporting healthier, more resilient communities across the Derbyshire Dales.

What DDCVS does

DDCVS works alongside people and communities across the Derbyshire Dales. We support local groups, charities, volunteers and residents, helping to build connections, strengthen community life and respond to local needs.

Our role includes:

• Supporting local voluntary and community organisations
• Adding value to community-led projects and initiatives
• Connecting organisations and partners
• Helping communities access funding and resources
• Supporting activities that reduce isolation and improve wellbeing
• Building local capacity and resilience
• Practical support

Our work is rooted in the everyday realities of rural life. Whether it is helping supporting community organisations, improving access to support or bringing partners together, we are here to help communities thrive.

By working closely with local communities and partners, we help deliver shared priorities around prevention, reducing inequalities, strengthening community resilience and improving access to support for people living in rural areas.

Strong communities do not happen by accident. They are built through local relationships, local knowledge and local action. DDCVS is proud to support that work across the Derbyshire Dales.

Derbyshire Dales at a glance

• Around 72,000 people live in the Derbyshire Dales.
• Around 80% of residents live in rural settlements, making it one of the most rural districts in Derbyshire.
• The Derbyshire Dales covers the largest geographical area of any Derbyshire district, with communities spread across market towns, villages and hamlets.
• Around 28% of residents are aged 65 and over, significantly higher than the national average.
• The district has the lowest proportion of working-age residents in Derbyshire.
• Population growth has been very low compared with regional and national averages.
• Many communities face challenges linked to transport, access to services, digital connectivity and social isolation.
• Despite the area’s overall affluence, rural disadvantage and poverty can be hidden, particularly for older residents and people living in isolated communities.
• There are almost 500 parish council seats across the district, reflecting the importance of local community leadership and civic participation.

These factors make strong community organisations, local volunteering and accessible neighbourhood support especially important across the Derbyshire Dales.