Lancashire

Community Futures (formerly Community Council of Lancashire)

Community Futures is the Rural Community Council (RCC) for Lancashire, founded

in 1934 during a period of significant economic hardship. Its original purpose was to

help communities respond to unemployment and social need, a concern that has

re-emerged in different forms across successive generations.

Lancashire is a large and diverse county, encompassing upland and lowland rural

areas, dispersed settlements, market towns and communities shaped by industrial

change.

Throughout its history, Community Futures and its predecessor organisations have

worked across this varied landscape, supporting parish councils, voluntary

organisations and informal community groups facing challenges such as access to

services, transport, housing, employment and community facilities.

From the 1940s onwards, the organisation played a central role in developing village

halls, community centres and welfare services, working closely with national

voluntary bodies, local authorities and government departments. Postwar activity

included support for older people’s welfare, citizens advice services, rural industries

and the establishment of local social service structures. Many of these services were

developed locally and later became independent or were absorbed into statutory or

national frameworks.

One of the most significant and enduring parts of the organisation’s legacy is

Brentwood House, originally established in Marple, Cheshire. Brentwood House was

a pioneering recuperative and residential centre for children and families, widely

regarded as groundbreaking in its approach. Its model of integrated care and

family focused support helped to shape what later became modern children’s and

family services, subsequently adopted by newly formed local authorities in the 1960s

and 1970s. The legacy of this work has endured for decades through the Brentwood

Legacy Trust, which Community Futures continued to administer until 2024.

From the 1960s through to the 1980s, the organisation expanded both in scale and

scope. Alongside its continuing support for village halls and community buildings, it

became increasingly involved in rural development, community enterprise, transport

initiatives, housing need surveys and employment related projects. This included

support for rural bus services, village shops, community resource centres and

small-scale regeneration activity, as well as advisory and grant distribution roles.

The 1990s and 2000s saw further evolution in response to changing policy and

funding regimes, including engagement in European programmes, Single

Regeneration Budget initiatives and partnership-based delivery. Work during this

period covered rural housing enabling, community enterprise, village services,

advice and information, and capacity building for the voluntary and community sector.

The refurbishment and reopening of a new HQ, affectionately named “Brentwood

House” in Preston in 2009 marked an important organisational milestone and

provided a long-term base for countywide activity.

Today, Community Futures continues its role within the ACRE Network, focusing on

community resilience, local leadership, rural health and wellbeing, and partnership

working, while retaining a consistent commitment to strengthening communities and

enabling locally led responses to change.

Further historical material, including decade by decade summaries and archival

records, is held by Community Futures and can be made available.

Lancashire’s Community Futures recently celebrated their 90th Birthday!

CF turns 90

Lancashire Resources