Inclusion scenario – rural exclusion

A volleyball coach demonstrates the technique for a dig shot.

The following scenario is designed to help your organisation become more inclusive to those affected by rural exclusion.

Rural exclusion refers to communities that experience barriers or have limited access to services, facilities and opportunities to be physically active because of the area in which they are located.

By working through the scenario below, you can gain a better understanding of how to respond to, and meet the needs of, people living in rural areas.

The scenario has been constructed to reflect situations you might encounter; any names or organisations used are fictional to aid your understanding.

The sport or activities referenced throughout these scenarios are also provided for context and aren’t intended to reflect the approach taken or promoted by any national governing bodies of sport.

We recognise that those living within rural communities have different needs and face individual challenges and barriers to being active.

Individuals can also have additional needs or experience further challenges or barriers if they’ve one or more protected characteristic (a term often referred to as intersectionality).

While this scenario focuses on a particular club and region, it’s been designed to provide some key takeaways and considerations that can help your organisation become more inclusive to those from rural communities you might find yourself operating in or nearby.

This two-part scenario features Buddle Table Tennis Club (BTTC).

The club are located within rural Devon, three miles from the nearest town, with no direct public transport links, so they rely on participants to either drive or actively travel (walk, run or cycle safely) to sessions.

Close-up of a table tennis bat next to a net on a table.

As you work through this scenario, consider how you would respond, then click on the dropdown to understand the impact of your response. Responses are not monitored; be honest in your approach to get the most out of this learning experience.

BTTC are aware that public transport presents a major challenge for many of their participants, with no direct links to the club and the high cost of an infrequent bus service to the nearest town.

Additionally, some participants have expressed a concern in being away from their home for long periods of time due to caring and childcare responsibilities costing them more, or seasonal jobs having less flexible working hours.

As a result of this, they’ve seen the number of participants attending sessions significantly decrease during winter months, when travelling becomes more difficult, less safe and can be worrying for those who are unable to drive.

With the costs of venue hire rising, BTTC want to ensure participation stays high to cover their costs and continue to support their local community.

Response 1

The club are aware of the travel barriers faced by their participants, with public transport and possible safety issues associated with active travel during the winter months.

The club decide not to provide any support as they feel that transport is each participant's responsibility and isn’t something the club can support with.
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Outcome

This response isn’t inclusive, as it fails to recognise the transport barriers that many of their participants face.

Ignoring these challenges can make people feel excluded, unsupported and unsafe, especially if they travel in the dark or on narrow roads that are unlit.

This is likely to have a negative impact on future participation rates and the club’s ability to generate the required income to cover their costs.
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Response 2

The club recognise the issues raised and look to set up a car-sharing system for participants who live in rural areas.

They promote the scheme to their participants who can drive to encourage them to get involved.

The club offer reduced session fees to drivers if they’re able to bring participants who don’t drive with them and promote the environmental benefits of sustainable travel.
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Outcome

This response is inclusive as it attempts to address some of the travel barriers that people face.

However, a car-sharing scheme relies on having participants who can drive and are happy to go out of their way to help others.

While this is likely to support some participants, it’s unlikely to cater for everyone.

Consideration should also be given to any safeguarding implications if children and young people under the age of 18 or adults at risk of harm are involved.
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Response 3

As well as promoting car-sharing, the club contact their local council and local council for voluntary services (CVS) to see if they can help.

The club are aware that the council has access to a minibus, which is used during the day for the local community, while the CVS has links to a local charity with a minibus.

The club ask these organisations if they would be able to use the minibus in the evening, depending on availability.

The club also promote financial support available from the council, for those who are struggling to access local services due to the limited transport links.
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Response 3 is a proactive approach and an inclusive attempt by the club to provide further support.

Alongside a car-sharing scheme, this demonstrates a strong commitment and intention to address the wider barriers that may exist for some.

The council or CVS may not be able to help or support immediately, but this response raises awareness of the issues, in case they can support in the future.
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After promoting a car-sharing scheme with their participants and working with their local council to provide an occasional minibus service, the club notice that a few individuals are still unable to attend sessions.

The club know that some participants work within industries, such as hospitality or farming, that require long hours during certain times of the year. Others have caring responsibilities, preventing them from attending regularly.

The club consider what else they could do, in addition to delivering their sessions, to keep participants engaged.

Response 1

The club decide not to act on these issues; they need to focus on engaging those who can attend their sessions.
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Outcome

It’s important that the focus remains on delivering activities for those who do attend, but the club should also look to support and engage those who can’t.

By overlooking the other barriers that exist, the club risk excluding some of their participants, and future participants, from their activities.
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Response 2

The club provide downloadable and printed versions of drills and exercises to give to participants, and signpost them to age- and skill-appropriate videos of exercises to copy when they can’t attend, so they can still be physically active without travelling to the club.
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Outcome

Providing examples of drills and exercises and signposting participants to videos may help participants remain active, but this is unlikely to provide them with a positive, inclusive experience.

These participants will miss out on the social benefits of being part of a community club and may not have the required equipment to carry out all exercises at home.
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Response 3

The club recognise the issues that participants face and consider alternative ways that they can encourage and make it easier for them to stay involved.

In addition to their in-person sessions, the club decide to reintroduce online home-based activities, as they were successful during the pandemic.

These sessions are recorded live and follow the coach. Where appropriate and once consent has been gained, other participants feature on the live stream, so those unable to attend can engage with others. Recordings of the sessions are also shared so they can be accessed at any time.

Sessions are only offered in the months where participation rates drop and at a small cost to help the club generate income. The club also provide equipment where needed to help their members join in with these sessions.
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Outcome

These are positive actions and could help participants stay engaged with the club, stay connected and continue to be active when they can’t attend sessions.

Adding a small cost will also help the club cover any rising costs needed to keep the in-person sessions thriving.

While this is an inclusive approach, there may still be a challenge with those who don’t have access to digital platforms or internet connectivity issues, so the club may need to consider how they continue supporting these participants.
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Regardless of urban or rural settings, each participant and volunteer will be unique, have varying support needs and different motivations.

It’s important that organisations take a person-centred approach and consider a variety of different barriers to ensure a positive and accessible experience for everyone.

To do this, keep asking questions, don’t assume anyone’s needs and try to remain adaptable to running your organisation in different ways, at varying times, venues or across different ability levels to keep serving the community you’re within.

Community organisations are also encouraged to speak with their local authority to see how and if they are prioritising and promoting active travel.

Some local authorities now have an active travel officer, who may be able to advise community organisations on possible local solutions to the challenges faced, such as access to bikeability sessions, cycle maintenance schemes or support in developing an active travel group.

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Inclusion scenario – rural exclusion

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Response 1

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Response 2

Outcome

Response 3

Response 1

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Response 2

Outcome

Response 3

Outcome

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Inclusion scenario – rural exclusion

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