National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise

17/08/2026

What do the communities of Blackhall and the Rocks need to thrive, now and in the future?

We’re inviting people who live, work, study, run a business or spend time in Blackhall and the Rocks to share their experiences and priorities through a short community survey.

Share your views and you could win a £100 Love 2 Shop voucher.

Tell us what you value about the area, what you think needs to improve and what would help the communities thrive.

Your feedback will inform a Solution Session taking place on Wednesday 30 September, bringing together community organisations, businesses, service providers and other partners.

Complete the short community survey in the comments below 👇

This is one of a series of Solution Sessions organised through the North East Rural and Coastal Taskforce in 2026/7 to help shape recommendations for future policy and investment.

To find out more visit the NICRE website or contact [email protected].

11/08/2026

What do Seahouses and the surrounding coastal communities need to thrive, now and in the future?

We’re inviting people who live, work, study, run a business or spend time in Seahouses to share their experiences and priorities through a short community survey. Share your views and you could win a £100 Love 2 Shop voucher.

Tell us what you value about the area, which issues matter most and what changes you would like to see.

Your views will help inform a Solution Session taking place in Seahouses on Monday 14 September, bringing together local organisations and partners to explore priorities for the rural Northumberland coast.

👉 Complete the Seahouses community survey in the comments below.

This is one of a series of Solution Sessions organised through the North East Rural and Coastal Taskforce in 2026/7 to help shape recommendations for future policy and investment. To find out more visit the NICRE website or contact [email protected].

02/07/2026

🌱 We’re hiring at NICRE – two exciting opportunities now live!

We’re looking for people who want to make a real difference in rural communities and be part of a supportive, collaborative team. Both roles are full time and applications close on 19 July.

📌 Rural Innovation Associate

A great opportunity to:

- Support projects tackling a wide variety of challenges in rural areas – from energy and environmental sustainability to community capacity building
- Bring people together across business, policy, communities and universities
- Turn ideas into practical outcomes that create real impact

📌 Engagement and Communications Officer

Ideal if you’re passionate about communications and creative content:

- Help bring insights and innovations to life for a wide range of audiences
- Build hands-on experience across campaigns, content and events
- Work with a strong network of partners across the UK

At NICRE, we’re all about putting knowledge to work for an enterprising countryside – and these roles are a chance to be part of that.

👉 If this sounds like you (or someone you know), take a look and apply using the link in the comments below

17/06/2026

Join us in Felton on Tuesday 23 June 🌿

How do people access, enjoy and care for outdoor spaces across the River Coquet catchment, and what would they like to see in future?

We’re holding a Nature and People workshop at Felton Village Hall on Tuesday 23 June, delivered in partnership with Natural England.

The workshop will be a friendly space to hear early findings from our research, share your local knowledge, meet others working or volunteering in the area, and help shape future ideas that support people and nature to thrive together.

It’s open to community and environmental groups, local volunteers, businesses, public sector organisations and anyone with an interest in the River Coquet and the places around it.

There’s still time to book your place.

👉 Booking link in the comments or email [email protected]

Thank you to everyone who has already shared their views. Your input is helping build a clearer picture of how people connect with and care for this beautiful part of Northumberland.

02/06/2026

Volunteers’ Week is back – and it’s the perfect time to celebrate the amazing volunteers who support so many of the projects we are involved with here at NICRE.

One of these is our Rural Digital Inclusion Project, delivered in partnership with Community Action Northumberland which brings volunteers from across Northumberland to support sessions in local communities and beyond to help others build confidence with digital skills.

From connecting hearing aids via Bluetooth, to setting up devices and resetting passwords, our volunteers show real dedication, patience and passion. Their support helps communities stay connected and confident in a digital world.

Below is a video we created last year, showcasing some of the fantastic volunteers involved in the Rural Digital Inclusion project.

Thank you to everyone who gives their time, skills and energy - this project couldn’t work without you, and this week we celebrate ityour contributions.



Commsworld Northumberland County Council

29/05/2026

Last chance to share your views on the River Coquet

We’re coming to the end of our research into how people use and care for outdoor spaces across the River Coquet catchment — and there’s still time to get involved.

Your views will help shape future projects that support nature, wellbeing and local communities.

Complete our online survey — link in the comments

Meet us in person at the Great Big Green Event in Rothbury this Saturday (30 May)

Sign up for our Nature and People workshop on Tuesday 23 June in Felton, where we’ll share early findings and work with local partners to develop future ideas.

Booking link for the workshop in the comments

However you choose to get involved, thank you. Your views will help shape how people connect to and care for this beautiful part of Northumberland for years to come.

27/05/2026

📱 Digital support sessions this June – across rural Northumberland

This June, we are continuing to run, free digital support sessions across rural Northumberland as part of our Rural Digital Inclusion project.

Our volunteers are on hand to help with everyday tech questions – from using devices and getting online, to staying safe and confident on the internet.

Want to get involved?
We’re looking for volunteers to become Digital Champions at these sessions. If you’re interested, get in touch with Community Action Northumberland.

We also support Digital Champions across the rest of the county, so even if these sessions aren’t local to you, we can help you get involved.

Need a bit of digital help?
If you or someone you know, could use support with technology or staying safe online, our volunteers are here to help.

Just pop along to one of the sessions and a Digital Champion will be there to support.

📍 FREE Digital Support Sessions this June

Need help getting online or building confidence with your device? Our friendly Digital Champions are back across Northumberland this June offering free, drop-in support with everyday tech 💻📱

No booking needed — just turn up and say hello.

📅 June 2026 sessions:
3rd June, 10:30am–12pm, Stannington Village Hall
4th June, 2–3:30pm, Hindmarsh Hall (Alnmouth)
16th June, 11:30am–12:30pm, Warkworth Memorial Hall
18th June, 2–3:30pm, Hindmarsh Hall (Alnmouth)
19th June, 9:30–11:30am, Ponteland Merton Hall
30th June, 2–4pm, Hepscott Parish Hall

Whether it’s emails, online forms, video calls or staying safe online, we’re here to help you feel more confident and connected 🌿

Find out more: https://www.ca-north.org.uk/news/rural-digital-inclusion-spring-2026

14/04/2026

Help shape the future of the River Coquet 🌿

We are working with Natural England and local partners to better understand the River Coquet and the people connected to it - those who live, work, learn and spend time there.

This research will inform future projects and help shape a Protected Sites Strategy for the whole catchment, from source to sea.

*Join our community focus group – 21 April*

Hearing from different perspectives is vital. If you work or volunteer with a community or voluntary organisation linked to the River Coquet, please come along.

📍 Felton Village Hall
🗓 Tuesday 21 April
⏰ 12:30–2pm (lunch provided)

The session follows the Thriving Together Northumberland networking event, but you’re welcome whether or not you attend in the morning.

We’d really appreciate your help in spreading the word, so do share or tag anyone in the comments who'd be interested.

👉 Book your place at the link in comments or get in touch: [email protected]

13/04/2026

Do you volunteer or work with a community organisation in the River Coquet catchment?

We are working with Natural England and local partners to better understand how people connect to nature and use outdoor spaces along the River Coquet and what is important to them for future.

This research will inform plans and projects that support both communities and nature across the whole catchment, from source to sea.

*Join our community organisations focus group – 21 April*

Hearing from different perspectives is vital. If you work or volunteer with a community or voluntary organisation linked to the River Coquet, please come along.

📍 Felton Village Hall
🗓 Tuesday 21 April
⏰ 12:30–2pm (lunch provided)

The session follows the Thriving Together Northumberland networking event, but you’re welcome whether or not you attend in the morning.

👉 Book your place at the link in comments or get in touch: [email protected]

We’d really appreciate your help in spreading the word, so do share or tag anyone in the comments who'd be interested.

Anyone who lives, works, learns or visits around the River Coquet can also contribute to our research through an online survey and other pop up events around the catchment.

Comment below or get in touch if you'd like to know more. 👇