National Village Hall Surveys 1988, 1998 and 2008
New Report: The economic impact of community buildings in rural communities
ACRE has now released the first in a series of Reports analysing data from their survey of rural community buildings; it examines the economic impact of community buildings in rural communities. The Report demonstrates the significance of investment in rural community buildings in terms of employment and finance and considers less tangible impacts on rural communities. The Key Findings Report was launched in Westminster in November 2009.
view report here
News Release: Report celebrates the success of volunteers managing buildings, but highlights a fragile future
Use of England’s rural community-owned buildings has trebled since 1988, according to the research undertaken in ACRE’s 2009 national survey of rural community buildings. The key findings celebrate the success of volunteers and the buildings they manage in supporting local action and service delivery.
The 9,000 halls represent the largest network of community-owned facilities in the country with a total asset value of over £3 billion. They are a crucial but largely hidden aspect of community empowerment, and many have proved ‘hard to reach’ in efforts to support their sustainability. Although there are significant success stories to tell, the future for most is quite fragile. view the full press release here
Rural Community Buildings in England 2009, Key Finding
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The 1988 Survey aimed to gain a picture of the nature of provision of village halls in England. Overall the Survey informed and influenced a wide range of initiatives including the ‘Red Tape’ initiatives of the Cabinet Office and the Department of Trade and Industry. It was the first research of its kind and led to the 1998 survey which aimed to monitor changes that had occurred in the management, administration and use of village halls during the preceding 10 year. The results of the 1998 Survey provided a snapshot of 3,348 village halls and similar community buildings in rural England. They recorded how rural community buildings are managed, used and funded; the type of buildings, their age and accommodation. The survey also collected data about the problems and opportunities affecting village halls at that time.
Preparation work is being carried out for the National Village Hall Survey 2009. It will support ACRE’s work in influencing the development of legislation and making a case for change wherever necessary.
Hard copies are available of both the 1988 and 1998 Surveys publication order form or in PDF format below -
Village Halls Survey 1988
Village Halls Survey 1998
National Village Hall Survey 2009
The role of community owned assets is a strong feature of government-wide policy and particularly the community empowerment agendas in Communities and Local Government and the Office of the Third Sector. Rural communities are unusual in already owning and managing their most significant assets, community halls, and having support structures through the Rural Community Action Network dedicated to improving their management and sustainability.
ACRE carried out two national surveys of rural village halls and similar community buildings in 1988 and 1998.
This Survey funded by Defra (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) and Norris & Fisher will build a national picture of the state of rural village and community halls in 2009.
Click Here to take survey
The Role of the Community Building – ACRE 2003
This unique piece of research was a pilot exploration of the role of the community building within the community it serves, relating its functions and usage to the local context. The report highlights some of the factors that contribute to that role, and proposes a number of approaches which would contribute to building an evidence base on community activity. view the Role of the Community Building
Defra Rural Communities Buildings research 2007
Defra contracted Rural Partnerships to research funding for rural community buildings in partnership with rural stakeholders including 15 Rural Community Councils. The research focuses on issues around funding applications, looking at barriers to funding and success factors. It also examined the tangible and intangible benefits the facilities bring to local communities. The report was published in January 2007. view here
The Impact of the Investment in Village Halls - 2007
This survey was carried out by village hall advisers in the SWAN network. Its purpose was to analyse the impact on village halls and the communities using them, arising from various levels of investment for capital improvement projects. It compares hall use prior to investment, with changes following development. view here |
