The Community Buildings Advice Service (CBAS) membership is a ‘must have’ service for anyone who manages or runs community halls and public buildings. 

Benefits of membership

• Professional advisor available to support you
• Tailored information library (model documents, information sheets, best practice)
• Training
• Grant Support
• Newsletters
• Networking with fellow Berkshire Village/Community Hall Committees/Managers

Village Hall in Berkshire: “Our Hall’s status changed and we were now deemed to be in a High-Risk flood area. Our insurance premium hugely increased and we were asked to pay a £10,000 excess on any claims. Advice from the CBAS advisor, Kate, enabled us to get a £200 reduction in fees and much better insurance terms. We saved more than our annual membership fee!”

Training    Training is provided on all aspects of running your community building, including; Trustee Roles, Risk, Business Planning, Accounting & Village Hall Quality Standards (Hallmark)

Training feedback:

“I attended a workshop for Parish Councillors, Village Hall and Recreation Ground Trustees. We learned about the complexity of governance structures and how we can work to support each other. It was great to work in groups to understand more about the issues we face and how we can solve them. Edward – Englefield Village Hall

Training Feedback: As 2 members of Peasemore Village refurbishment working group the Community Consultation workshop was a great opportunity to build a plan for community engagement for our project.   We were able to not only hear the expertise of the workshop leaders but the ideas and experience of the attendees.   As a result we able to produce a comprehensive plan to engage the village community to get their views on the proposed design and ongoing communication.  This involved questionnaire and workshop content and design as well as the various potential methods of communication such as Facebook, email, leaflets etc to tailor to our village profile.    The result was a high level of engagement and approval giving us confidence in our plans which will also be an important reassurance to grant funders when we come to apply.   A very helpful and informative workshop which we would strongly recommend.   Ian – Peasemore

Comprehensive resource & information library Our members have FREE access to a large information library covering over 40 subjects from, model documents & sample policies to Finance, risk, safeguarding, carparks, trustee roles, understanding governance and much more!

Networking Members can network at events and through our members’ digital basecamp forum. Sharing ideas, hints and tips – you are never alone. Networking can seriously reduce your workload and help when you are feeling overwhelmed.

Membership in CBAS is open to anyone running a community building or village hall in Berkshire. To find out more about membership click here or to join email: kate.meads@ccberks.org.uk Tel: 07876 069709 – just call if you want to chat and find out more.

In the UK, there are more than 10,000 village, church, and community halls or centres, each run and supported ( as we know!) by incredible groups of volunteers. 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 our national infrastructure.

The Community Buildings Advice Service (CBAS) membership is a ‘must have’ service for anyone who manages or runs community halls and public buildings.

JOIN TODAY Membership fees

Take a look at village halls and community buildings that are already making the most out of their membership.