THE organisers of an event dedicated to tackling the problems of rural isolation are putting the finishing touches to plans for the day in West Devon next week.

The occasion, in Bridestowe, will bring together the promoters of imaginative projects designed to reduce isolation in the countryside and community leaders, with the aim of creating a wider awareness.

There will be keynote presentations by speakers on what isolation means, whether it is caused by the lack of transport in villages or the lack of involvement in the community brought about by poor hearing, the loss of sight, physical disabilities or dementia.

Representatives from a range of organisations will be on hand to talk about their work, so come and learn how Neighbourhood Watch operates, what Farm Watch entails and find out whether there is there a Neighbourhood Health Watch in your area. Do you know what the Sensory Bus is? If not, come and find out!

Event co-organiser Ken Crawford said: 'We are determined to fight back against the blight of rural isolation, which undermines the lives of so many people and we want as many influential local decision makers as possible to come along and see what is being done.

'With budget cuts and a lack of funding, care in the community is becoming a necessary factor in our daily lives, and learning how to look out for the elderly and vulnerable members of our society is important.'

The day is being organised by Tavistock and Okehampton area branches of Devon Senior Voice. The Rural Isolation Conference will take place at Bridestowe Village Hall on Thursday, June 11, with registration and coffee from 9am before starting at 10am and running through to 4pm. A light buffet lunch is available, for which bookings are requested.