Blogs

How Plunkett lives its values through action, collaboration, and a commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive community-owned sector. According to our latest Impact Report, the community-owned sector has grown by an impressive 70% over the past decade. Today, Plunkett supports more than 800 trading community-owned businesses, with a further 800 [...]

David Lydiat, Head of External Affairs, reflects on a recent visit to community businesses in South West England, including a meeting with Caroline Voaden MP at a thriving community pub in Strete To better understand the vital role of community businesses - and the support they need - I was [...]

Plunkett’s Community Business Manager, Diane Cameron, explores what environmental action means in rural communities According to our latest Impact Report, 96% of rural community businesses took some form of climate action over the past year. To those of us working at Plunkett, this is no surprise: the interest and proactivity [...]

We’re proud to celebrate Almondsbury and Appleton Community Shops, both recently honoured with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service - the highest national accolade awarded to volunteer-led groups across the UK. At Plunkett, we know that volunteers are the driving force behind the success of community-owned businesses. People’s passion, commitment, and [...]

Plunkett's Impact Officer, George Ogier, explores what equity, diversity, and inclusion means for rural communities The World Health Organisation defines equity in part as: “the absence of unfair, avoidable or remediable differences among groups of people”. The idea of striving to ensure that everyone is afforded the same opportunities should [...]

Hear from Patrick Marks, who reflects on his week of work experience with us, and what he learnt about the community business sector As a student going into my second year of A levels with an interest in doing history at University (particularly in social history), work experience at Plunkett [...]

The Rural Community Business Awards is a major highlight in Plunkett’s annual calendar. Get the lowdown and reaction from the 2025 event, which celebrated our members' tenacity and commitment to making a difference in their communities. Rural community businesses’ extraordinary impact was honoured during a jubilant awards event, hosted by [...]

Our Communications Officer, Michael Wolverson reports from his tour of community pubs from South West Scotland, made possible by our partnership with the Scottish Government’s Rural Network “This pub has brought the village back to life.”- Nigel, The Kenmuir Arms. It’s a phrase I often hear when writing about community [...]

This week, from 9–15 June, we mark Loneliness Awareness Week; a time to reflect on the role that communities play in bringing people together, especially those who are experiencing loneliness. At Plunkett UK, we understand that loneliness can affect individuals in rural areas. Our latest Impact Report reveals that in [...]

With this year's Mental Health Awareness Week (12-18 May) highlighting the role of community, Michael Wolverson spotlights two community businesses that intentionally support people facing anxiety and depression and give them a new sense of purpose. Mental health is something we all experience differently, that’s why it’s hard to define [...]