This followed the release of the State of the Art Review on Poverty last month (January) from the National Innovation Centre Rural Enterprise.
The report revealed more support is required for voluntary and community organisations to continue to reach into rural areas and maintain essential social infrastructure.
Its study, Rural Poverty Today, looked at the hidden poverty in rural Britain and showed many face fuel poverty, higher costs of living, insecure employment, unaffordable housing and deteriorating access to essential services.
Damaging impacts
Furthermore, the report highlighted the loss of services in rural areas from the centralisation of job centres, welfare services and advice sources, making it more difficult for people in rural locations to receive information and support.
It also called for policies to address rural needs and circumstances as many residents in these areas are at risk of poverty.
According to the study, this has had “damaging impacts” on the wellbeing of the most vulnerable.
In response to the research, Pub is the Hub chief executive John Longden said: “The loss of rural services is something that has been happening everywhere for many years.
“Pubs and publicans can be the beating heart of these rural areas providing many of these lost services from the village store, community garden, to the library or community café.”
Overcoming social isolation
He added: “Many pubs can also run activities that help bring people together from craft sessions, to a meeting place for groups to even hosting advice sessions.
“All these can help overcome social isolation and give people living in rural and remote areas access to the help and companionship they need.”
Not-for-profit organisation Pub is the Hub has helped more than 600 pubs diversify including aiding licensees to open shops, libraries, community cinemas, cafés and more.
It recently supported diversification projects for pubs in Wales after received a £25,000 grant from The Royal Countryside Fund, which will help some pubs provide much-needed local services and amenities in rural areas across Wales.
