Workstream 3: Rural inequalities

Why is this important?

Oxfordshire is a rural county, with the highest proportion of rural population in the southeast region. 

Our rural areas are generally affluent but face unique challenges and hide pockets of deprivation. 

So far, much work has focused on inequalities in big cities or towns, including the development of community insight profiles for the ten most deprived wards in Oxfordshire. 

We now want to better understand the nature of rural inequalities, which areas are affected and what that looks like, so we can collectively take steps to address them.

What has been achieved so far?

Information, insights, experience, stories, and reports of previous work on access to healthcare, housing, and other services have been gathered from across the network. 

These have been combined with local and national data sources to build a picture of inequalities experienced in rural areas. A number of local areas have been selected for further community engagement work, which will take place over the coming months.