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THE RURAL RENEWAL COMPANY: PROFILERRC was formed in 2003 as a consultancy and co-developer. RRC is a social enterprise whose primary aim is public benefit, with the secondary aim of a fair return to its investors. CORE SKILLSThe key areas of expertise that RRC offers are as follows: Cohousing: This is a form of housing provision new to the UK, well proven elsewhere, with major benefits of sustainability, affordability and mutual support. RRC can facilitate the formation of a cohousing residents’ group, work with them to set their group structures (legal, financial, and social), and to evolve their facilities brief. In the US, cohousing has grown rapidly, from the first project in 1989, to 80 projects by 2005. Key to this process was specialist consultancy and facilitation to help resident groups handle the complexities of project development. RRC aims to provide these roles in the UK, and is uniquely placed to do so. Ecological development: True sustainability depends partly on lifestyle, eg sharing resources, travel habits, and on reducing the energy footprint of work and social activities, food production, etc. RRC can help to specify mixed-use settlements which innovate in these areas, and reflect best practice in sustainable building design and energy use. Green tourism and education: These sectors are attracting great media and public interest, but UK facilities to deliver them are limited. RRC has a unique body of experience in creating a range of sustainable education projects, including day visitors and residential guests. Social enterprise: This emerging sector has been recognised by the UK Government as having major benefits. Social enterprise uses private sector skills and funding to achieve social and environmental aims. RRC can specify workspaces and services to support social enterprises, and where appropriate can help set up specific operations. Creative ageing: The UK’s demographics create major new needs, not only in housing, but also in work activities and support services for the over-50s. RRC already has experience of these areas, for example in senior cohousing projects, and can work with residents and other groups to specify appropriate facilities and services. PERSONNELThe founder and prime mover in RRC is Alan Heeks. He is a Harvard MBA who co-founded Caradon plc, a major building materials group, and has created and directed two sustainable education centres: The Magdalen Project, a 130-acre organic farm in West Dorset (www.themagdalenproject.org.uk), and Hazel Hill, a 70-acre conservation woodland near Salisbury (www.hazelhill.org.uk). Alan is author of The Natural Advantage, about organic growth for people and organisations (www.thenaturaladvantage.com). He is a leading figure in UK cohousing, and leads many training groups on this topic. Alan co-founded the Threshold Cohousing Centre in Dorset, which is the first cohousing community created jointly with a housing association, and the first sustainable education centre based on cohousing. The project has now won full planning permission and grant funding from the Homes and Communities Agency: see www.thresholdcentre.org.uk. Alan has an extensive range of associate contacts who can work with him to provide a larger team on specific projects. PARTNER ORGANISATIONSDuring six years of research, RRC has established good links and confirmed support from a wide array of potential partner organisations. The key categories are as follows:
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