Village Halls Week 2023 will celebrate the many ways these volunteer-run rural community buildings support local residents, groups and businesses, particularly during difficult times.
As the country endures a cost-of-living crisis, rural communities have come to rely on the humble village hall as a place to keep warm, access basic services and socialise without the expense of travelling elsewhere.
Halls across the country will be taking part in the national campaign week, showcasing what they are doing for their community, and the opportunities they provide to people locally that would not otherwise exist.
Activities beginning Monday 23 January will include open days at local halls and an engaging social media campaign that will include touching stories from users of community buildings.
Research conducted by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), who organise the annual campaign, found that in 60% of countryside areas, community buildings are the only place for local people to socialise.
Aside from hosting a wide range of social and recreational activities for residents, they can also host vital services such as post offices, doctors’ surgeries and convenience shops, whilst supporting an estimated 50,000 people whose livelihoods depend on use of these buildings.
Tim Parry, CEO of Connecting Communities in Berkshire (CCB) said, “Village Halls Week is in its sixth year of existence, and we thoroughly support it as an important week in the diary to shout about all the fantastic venues that village halls provide their local communities. Village Halls are not simply places for social and physical activities, often they are the lifeblood of local communities and a real lifeline for people of all ages, offering essential services and at times emergency facilities. As such they’re a critical part of the national infrastructure.”
CCB provides support and advice to village halls across Berkshire, including advice on legislation, risk assessments, health & safety, licensing, energy efficiency, insurance and much more!
On Wednesday 25th January to celebrate Village Halls Week local charity Connecting Communities in Berkshire (CCB) is running a useful webinar on Fundraising for Village Halls & Community Buildings – this will include information on the new Platinum Jubilee Village Halls fund, managed by ACRE. Anyone interested in attending should click here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/392286217637
Village Halls Week takes place from Monday 23 to Sunday 29 January 2023.
Connecting Communities in Berkshire 