This section is under review as there is no longer a Village Halls Advisor for the county
The Village & Community Halls Advisory Service is provided by Dorset Community Action
A place for people to meet can be the most valued asset in any community. A properly maintained building of adequate size, well kept and well managed, can provide facilities for social, educational and recreational activities for all ages. With this very much in mind Dorset Community Action operates the Village and Community Halls Advisory Service to provide support to both village and community halls across the county.
What are the main objectives of the Advisory Service?
The priorities of the Village and Community Halls Advisory Service are:
- To keep hall management committees up to date with matters of importance and interest
- To promote networking and the sharing of information and good practice
- To provide information, support and advice where appropriate to individual halls
- To administer the Village Halls Capital Grants programme on behalf of local councils
- To improve management standards through training and through the 'Hallmark' quality scheme
How can you access the Advisory Service?
The service is available to all village and community halls throughout Dorset (but not in the unitary authority areas of Bournemouth and Poole) and is delivered by the Village and Community Hall Adviser who can be contacted through Dorset Community Action in Dorchester. Full support, however, is only available to those halls that affiliate (ie join) to the service.
What are the benefits of affiliation?
By 'affiliating' to, that is being a member of, the advisory service you receive:
- Full access to all of the web-based facilities on this site (see below)
- Free access to the ACRE information sheets
- Priority response to individual enquiries
- Access to applicable county and district capital grants programmes
- Regular editions of Community News, DCA’s community magazine
- Discounts on networking and training events, often these are free for affiliated members
What information is available on the 'members' section of this web site?
The content village halls 'members' section within the Dorset Community Action website is constantly changing but the main facilities there are:
- News headlines where information on legal issues, political changes, funding opportunities and much more are displayed as soon as they become available
- A library of information sheets prepared by ACRE (the national association of rural councils) and other authorative bodies that you can browse, print and download
- Information on funding opportunities and, in particular, the Dorset Village Halls Capital Grants programme (including guidance notes and application form)
- Details of briefing events, networking opportunities, and training courses
- Information on the 'Hallmark' quality system, what it is, why it exists and how you can apply for Hallmark recognition
How do I become an affiliated hall?
The cost of affiliation is just £15.00 a year
Who are Dorset Community Action?
Find out more here: www.dorsetcommunityaction.org.uk