In rural communities across the UK, a unique role exists to combat loneliness: village agents. These individuals dedicate their time to reaching out and supporting those who feel isolated. One such agent is Kate Stobie, who serves the village of Peasedown St John, located between Bath and Radstock. With a population of around 6,500, this Somerset village embodies both the challenges and strengths of rural life.
Kate, aged 54, visits residents in their homes, connecting them with local clubs and activities, and often being the first person they confide in after hospital stays. “We work with people who are very lonely and isolated,” she explains over coffee at The Hive, the village’s lively community centre.
While many of Kate’s clients are older adults, loneliness affects people of all ages. She observes that traditional family structures, where multiple generations lived nearby, have evolved. Nowadays, children often move away to cities or even abroad for opportunities, leaving parents isolated. “I visit people with three children, yet none live in the UK,” she reflects.
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Statistics support Kate’s observations. Compared to England overall, Peasedown has fewer residents in their late 20s and 30s.
Technological changes also contribute to feelings of exclusion. Increasing reliance on apps for services like parking and the decline of cash payments can alienate older people. “I think older people feel excluded from modern society,” Kate notes.
Steve Band, a 53-year-old local finance and marketing manager, highlights another factor: many Peasedown residents commute to work in Bath, Bristol, or Frome. Having moved here 25 years ago, Steve points to a sense of division within the village, especially between the older parts and the ‘new’ Orchard Way estate, where many commuters live. “There’s not a lot of contact between the two,” he remarks.
Despite these challenges, Peasedown is statistically average in many respects. The village has a slightly lower proportion of single-person households than the national average, typical rates of disability and health issues, and only a marginally higher number of residents over 80.
Transport links are good, with frequent and affordable buses reaching Bath within 15 minutes, proving that Peasedown is far from remote.
Kate suggests that loneliness is not exclusive to rural areas; city life can be lonely too, though for different reasons such as anonymity amid crowds.
What sets Peasedown apart, however, is its vibrant community spirit. The Hive community centre, largely run by volunteers, is a hub of activity with a library, café, children’s play area, garden, pantry, and evening youth club. Events such as a fully-booked Santa’s grotto at Christmas and IT sessions help residents stay connected.
Kate recalls helping a local learn to use WhatsApp to communicate with their daughter in Singapore without incurring fees, illustrating the centre’s role in bridging social and technological divides.
Steve envisions starting a village choir to complement the many choirs in nearby Bath, fostering even greater community engagement.
Reverend David Winstanley, minister at the local Methodist Church, describes Peasedown as a friendly and welcoming place. “You can walk down the street here, and people smile even if they don’t know you,” he says.
Peasedown St John exemplifies the resilience and warmth of rural communities facing modern challenges. Though loneliness is a reality, the village’s efforts ensure that no one need face it alone.