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In the Autumn of 2022, we launched an exciting new project thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund (5 year) and The Royal Countryside Fund (year 1)

The 21st Century Community Halls Project is an ambitious 5-year project. Connecting Communities in Berkshire will be undertaking research into rural community halls in Berkshire to better understand the condition of these important community facilities and the needs and priorities of the volunteers who run them. We will be working with committees to help them improve and develop facilities so they are more energy efficient and environmentally friendly, financially sustainable, and better connected with the communities they serve. 

In January 2024 we produced this summary of our findings from 21st Century Community Halls audits that had taken place. Please click below to read.

21st Century Community Halls Project Vision

Examples of features of a 21st Century community hall might look like are below. Examples are for guidance rather than a set of criteria or a checklist. Other examples and approaches may be taken by committees.

There are around 110 village or community halls in rural Berkshire, spread across the 6 Unitary Authority areas of Reading, Slough, West Berkshire, Bracknell Forest, Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, and Wokingham.  Alongside audits of our 80 member halls, we will be reaching out to volunteers who run rural halls not in our network to better understand their needs and engage them in this project.

Since the start of the project in October 2022, CCB has conducted around 27 audits with a wide range of rural hall management committees across Berkshire. After auditing a hall, we will support committees to create an action plan, detailing how they intend to address issues identified in the audit, and help them enact the action plan with one-to-one advice and support, and access to training. 

To date, the audits have identified huge variations in levels of energy and thermal efficiency in rural halls, with most committees we have spoken to desperate to make improvements to reduce their carbon footprint and energy bills.  Several halls are interested in becoming rural digital hubs.  CCB is also collaborating with partners and funders to support halls achieve their strategic aims. 

“I thought you might be interested to know that after your visit and 21^st Century audit, we have made significant progress and after preparing a project plan of options and priorities, we currently have a bid in with West Berkshire Council to support improvements. We are waiting to hear if we are successful and if so, we should be able to install a new boiler, LED lights and insulate the hall roof and replace the old patio doors.  A big ‘Thank You’ for your help!” 

Mary, Shaw Cum Donnington Village Hall Trustee

Themes from Audits to far. . .

Common themes emerging out of these audits and that Kate & Maria will be working on over the coming months include:

• Access to good broadband
• Roof insulation
• Draughty fire exit doors
• Old single-glazed roof lightwells
• Disability Access issues (toilets/ramps)
• Off grid halls reliant on oil for heating and hot water

This project will ensure that local Halls in Berkshire will become more attractive, comfortable, and sustainable venues for the community to use and enjoy for the next 100 years.

Together we will ensure halls are able to offer more activities; reach more people in the community; reduce loneliness and isolation and become the vibrant heart of their community.

Get involved – contact kate.meads@ccberks.org.uk to find out how or book an audit.