Exmoor Young Voices (EYV) has announced that Will Lock, who has led the organisation with dedication and passion since its very beginning, will be stepping down as Chair. Will will continue to serve EYV as Chair of Trustees, ensuring his experience and commitment remain at the heart of the charity as it continues to thrive.
Will Lock said: “The time has come for me to retire as Chair of Exmoor Young Voices (EYV) and take a step back to allow EYV to benefit from a younger chair who has a greater understanding of the problems faced by Exmoor’s young people. The aim is for me to take more of an advisory role to assist the new chair and to continue as Chair of Trustees. We are lucky to have a younger, fresh face with a wealth of local knowledge and experience. I’m sure that, in passing the baton to Robyn, she will continue to build EYV, make the most excellent Chair, and help EYV go from strength to strength. It has been a huge honour to have chaired EYV for so many years. The growth of the organisation has been phenomenal, and the work it has done over the years to support people has been amazing. It has been humbling to be a part of it. For the group to have won the King’s Award for Voluntary Service has to be a highlight, showing that the team’s efforts are appreciated at the highest level. I want to thank all the people who have supported me over the years. I couldn’t have done this job or seen the organisation grow into what it is today, without the dedication of our senior advisers, partners, supporters, trustees, coordinators and, most importantly, our members and young people, who have trusted us to give Exmoor’s youth a voice.” Since EYV was set up in 2012, Will has been at the forefront of its mission to give Exmoor’s young residents a stronger voice. Over the years, he has represented EYV at every major authority, forum, consultative group, conference, farming and business network connected with Exmoor, tirelessly highlighting the challenges young people face in sustaining their lives and livelihoods on the moor. Will’s advocacy has reached national platforms, from attending parliamentary meetings to appearing on ITV and BBC, ensuring that the issues facing Exmoor’s young workers are heard at every level. Under Will’s leadership, EYV has achieved significant milestones, including: receiving The King’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2024, being named runner-up for the Young Changemakers of the Year award at the Campaign for National Parks National Park Protector Awards, and delivering two successful Exmoor Young Voices Summits. Exmoor Young Voices extends heartfelt thanks to Will for his incredible leadership, commitment, and countless hours of voluntary service. The charity simply wouldn’t be where it is today without his vision, dedication, and drive. Leslie Silverlock, Exmoor Young Voices’ Co-Founder & Adviser said: “We are delighted that Will is continuing as Chair of Trustees. His knowledge of Exmoor, its people, family and young people’s circumstances, the construction trades, environment and regulations, built over the last 15 years is outstanding. His continuing role is vital to the National Park, Councils, Housing Associations and charities, public authorities, Parishes and especially Exmoor's future generations, who struggle to continue living, working and sustaining Exmoor.” Taking over as Chair is Robyn Gummer, one of EYV’s original committee members and a long-standing supporter of the charity. Robyn has been a champion of young people’s voices on Exmoor since EYV’s early days; even attending her first meeting with her baby in tow, where she raised the issue of childcare challenges in rural communities. Now a mother of two young daughters, Robyn is also a Parish Councillor for Luccombe, Secretary for DLR Projects Ltd, and is currently involved in a project to create a new children’s play park in her village. Her connection to Exmoor life runs deep, and she brings a wealth of lived experience to the role. As EYV’s new Chair, Robyn brings fresh ideas and a forward-thinking perspective, with a particular passion for supporting young families and local entrepreneurs. Her energy and insight will help EYV continue to grow its reach and impact, ensuring that the voices of Exmoor’s younger generation remain heard loud and clear. Robyn Gummer said: “I’m grateful and so excited to be trusted with this opportunity. We’ve got such a strong foundation at EYV, and I’m looking forward to seeing what new ideas, projects and directions we can move towards together.” About Exmoor Young Voices Exmoor Young Voices is a registered charity working to empower young residents across Exmoor by addressing the challenges they face in housing, employment, transport, childcare and connectivity. Through raising awareness, collaboration and community projects, EYV ensures that the voices of young people continue to shape the future of Exmoor. For media enquiries, please contact: Meg Hunt, Exmoor Young Voices Coordinator [email protected]
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 Opportunities shouldn’t depend on where you grow up. But for many young people in rural areas like Exmoor, access to education, training, and local jobs can feel out of reach. At Exmoor Young Voices, we work to ensure young people can live, work, and thrive in the communities they love.
Yesterday, our Chair, Will Lock, attended the South-West Social Mobility Commission’s 3rd Annual Event at Taunton College Conference Centre. The event brought together people from business, education, and policy to tackle one of our region’s biggest challenges: poor social mobility. A key focus of the day was exploring how we can ensure that young people across the South West (particularly those from under-resourced or rural backgrounds) can see and access the opportunities emerging as our regional economy evolves. Delegates heard directly from young people, as well as from regional businesses nurturing talent and supporting opportunities, and from leaders driving major infrastructure projects that are shaping the local economy. Bringing Exmoor’s perspective Through our work at Exmoor Young Voices, we hear first-hand about the challenges young people face in rural areas: limited housing options, long commutes, patchy public transport, and the struggle to find stable local employment. Too often, these barriers mean young people feel forced to leave the area they love - taking with them the energy, skills, and local knowledge that our communities need to thrive. At the event, Will had the opportunity to share these realities and discuss actionable steps to help drive positive change. A shared commitment to change The South-West Social Mobility Commission’s event was more than just a conversation. It represented a shared commitment from leaders across sectors to work together on practical, lasting solutions. Exmoor Young Voices is proud to be part of this collaborative effort, ensuring that the voices of young people in rural communities are heard loud and clear. A big thank you to the South-West Social Mobility Commission for hosting such an inspiring and forward-thinking event.  It’s Rural Housing Week – so what better time to delve into the important (and sometimes controversial) topic of affordable housing on Exmoor? Whether you’ve grown up here or recently moved to the area, chances are you’ve heard some of the common myths doing the rounds…particularly around who gets housed, how choice-based letting systems like Homefinder Somerset and Devon Home Choice work, and what ‘affordable housing’ really means. In places like Exmoor, word spreads fast, and the trouble is, it’s not always the right information. So, to help set the record straight, we spoke to our partners at Caractacus Housing and Falcon Rural Housing to clear up some of the most common misunderstandings. Here’s what you really need to know… Myth #1 - “All affordable housing on Exmoor goes to people from outside of the area with no local connection.” Let’s clear this up! Applicants can register with Homefinder Somerset, if they have a local connection to Somerset. According to their criteria, this means you need to meet at least one of the following:
If you meet one of these, you can register with Homefinder and apply for available homes. However, some properties on Exmoor come with additional rules. These may require a local connection to Exmoor National Park specifically. In these cases, priority is given to people who:
 So here are the key points:
What about Devon Home Choice? Devon Home Choice prioritises applicants with a local connection to Devon, so you must either have:
Applicants that do not have a local connection to Devon will likely be placed in either Band D or E. “People from outside the area are forced to take affordable houses on Exmoor and don’t even want to live here.” This is another common misconception that often comes from a lack of understanding about how emergency housing works. In a housing crisis, people who are homeless or in urgent need are expected to bid on homes in all areas of Somerset (whether that area is suitable for them or not.) If they don’t bid, the Council then bids on their behalf. But it’s important to understand: It’s extremely rare that emergency placements will occur in homes that are protected by a Section 106 agreement. And if that was to happen, the person in need of emergency placement would still need to satisfy the local connection requirement. Some housing association properties on Exmoor don’t have a specific S106, hence what might be deemed as ‘non-locals’ moving into Exmoor villages. However, if a property on Exmoor is reserved for local people with a S106, or is owned by Falcon Rural Housing or Caractacus (who have their own local lettings policies,) it will stay for local people. Myth #2 - “There's no point applying on Homefinder Somerset. You'll just get a bronze banding and never be housed." This one’s especially frustrating for local housing associations because it stops many eligible local people from even registering. They assume it’s not worth trying, when in reality, it often is. While Bronze Band (or the equivalent banding on Devon Home Choice) is the usual starting point, you can be placed in a higher band if you can show clear evidence of housing need. And remember, “housing need” doesn’t just mean homelessness. It can include:
And this is SUPER IMPORTANT: Most homes let by Falcon Rural Housing actually go to bronze band applicants. Why? Because local connection trumps banding. You might be ranked 50-something in the bidding list for a property in an Exmoor village like Porlock or Timberscombe, but if the people above you don’t have a strong local connection to the parish (or an adjoining one), you’ll be chosen because you do. It’s a similar story with Caractacus Housing, which operates outside the Homefinder system and has its own registration process. Caractacus will look for applicants who meet the ENP local connection criteria but do offer some flexibility, so can accept those with a 5 year connection. Likewise, Falcon Rural Housing can be flexible, particularly if there is not a S106 agreement in place. They can offer the flexibility of a 5 year local connection, or in some cases, 3 years if the fit is right. Myth #3 - “You have to be on a really low income to qualify for social housing.” This one might surprise you! You can earn a decent wage and still be eligible for affordable housing. In fact, the income thresholds are surprisingly high for Somerset Homefinder:
And while not quite as generous, the thresholds for Devon Home Choice are:
This means if your household income is under these limits and you meet the local connection for the choice based letting system in Somerset or Devon, you’re eligible to apply (and probably should!) So why aren't more people applying for affordable housing on Exmoor? That’s the question many local housing associations are asking - especially when they struggle to fill properties that require a local connection. We think a big part of the issue is the myths and misconceptions still floating around. But it’s also true that the choice-based letting systems’ application processes can feel confusing or overwhelming, especially when doing it for the first time. If you need help applying via Homefinder Somerset or Devon Home Choice, or you're unsure how to evidence your housing need, here are some trusted places to turn: Homefinder Somerset (West Somerset enquiries) 📧 [email protected] 📞 0300 123 2224 Devon Home Choice (North Devon) 📧 [email protected] 📞 01271 388870 Registering with Homefinder or Devon Home Choice isn’t just about getting a home right now. It also helps build a clearer picture of housing need in the local area. This information plays a vital role in planning future developments and can even support things like community-led or self-build housing projects.
Need more support with affordable housing on Exmoor? At Exmoor Young Voices, we’re always here to help point you in the right direction. Whether you’ve got a question about Exmoor housing, need support navigating the process, or want to share concerns you’ve heard in your local community, we’re here to listen and advocate on your behalf. Join us at our next meeting on 11th July! _ _ _ A huge thank you to Falcon Rural Housing and Caractacus Housing for supporting Exmoor Young Voices with this blog post. If you have any questions or queries, or would like a chat with either organisation, they are more than happy for you to get in touch. Falcon Rural Housing Email: [email protected] Phone: 01823 667343 Text / WhatsApp: 07581 551502 Caractacus Housing Email: [email protected] Phone: 07900 694525 |
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