12th March 2025
Community development charity and village halls specialist, ACTion with Communities in Cumbria (ACT), is celebrating, encouraging, and supporting village hall volunteers – the theme for this year's national Village Halls Week campaign, which runs from 17th to 23rd March. :contentReference[oaicite:0]
The annual campaign, led by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), shines a spotlight on the contribution England's 10,000+ village halls make to bringing communities together. In England alone, it is estimated that more than 80,000 people regularly volunteer their time with village halls, from those on management committees who oversee the day-to-day use of buildings and finances, to those organising events and activities for the benefit of local communities. :contentReference[oaicite:1]
Run almost entirely by volunteers, Cumbria's 330+ village halls are a cornerstone of rural community life, bringing significant social and economic benefits to communities across the county. As well as providing spaces for social, recreational and cultural activities, many halls also support essential local services such as post offices, doctors' surgeries and community shops. :contentReference[oaicite:2]
From grass cutters to event planners, finance managers to drain unblockers, village hall volunteers are the lifeblood of community buildings. Their commitment, enthusiasm and hard work ensure these important facilities remain open and accessible for local residents. :contentReference[oaicite:3]
Volunteers typically come from all walks of life and often live within the communities they serve. However, there remains an ongoing need to encourage younger volunteers to get involved and help secure the future of village halls for generations to come. Volunteering can be a rewarding way to meet people, develop new skills and make a meaningful contribution to local life. :contentReference[oaicite:4]
ACT's Lead Village Hall Advisor, Hellen Aitken, said:
"We're proud to support village and community halls across Cumbria and of the strong relationship we have with many of the wonderful volunteers running them. They do a fantastic job and we're here to help; whether you're new to it all or a long-time committee member.
"ACT's Community Buildings Service provides vital information, advice and support to help village hall committees in their role. We provide one-to-one support, events, networking, regular updates and access to specialist national guidance across a wide range of subjects including governance, finance, fundraising, building improvements, energy efficiency, accessibility and much more.
"The theme of this year's Village Halls Week is to celebrate, encourage and support village hall volunteers. ACT is committed to continuing to do this and to champion the vital role village halls have in our communities." :contentReference[oaicite:5]
Village hall volunteers from across Cumbria shared their experiences of serving on committees and supporting their communities.
Carol Cutting from Lazonby Village Hall said:
"I enjoy working with colleagues, now friends, on the committee to keep the hall functioning well and support community activities. Meeting others and helping to make things happen is a big part of the reward." :contentReference[oaicite:6]
Michael Ryan from Dalston Victory Hall said:
"I wanted to give something back to my community and was asked to join the hall committee. I enjoy being involved with the community and being part of the hall management committee striving to improve village facilities." :contentReference[oaicite:7]
Anne Myers from Brigham Memorial Hall highlighted the strong sense of teamwork and community involvement generated through volunteering, while Ruth Sutton from Waberthwaite, Corney and District Village Hall described the satisfaction of helping renovate and improve a much-valued local facility. :contentReference[oaicite:8]
Village Halls Week provides an opportunity for communities to celebrate the volunteers who keep these buildings open and thriving. Halls are encouraged to host events, share stories and showcase what makes their hall special using the hashtag #VillageHallsWeek. :contentReference[oaicite:9]
ACT continues to support village and community halls across Cumbria through its Community Buildings Service, offering guidance, training, networking opportunities and specialist advice to help committees manage and develop their facilities. :contentReference[oaicite:10]
