Hallmark

The Hallmark scheme was launched by ACRE on 30 March 2007 and currently operates in 20 counties in England. It promotes the delivery of effective and well-managed village halls through a quality standards scheme which is backed up by a system of peer visitors.

Presentation to Long Ashton Village Hall Hallmark was developed by the Community Council for Somerset and has run successfully there since 2002. Somerset's early experience highlighted two main benefits of the scheme :

it provides funders and other organisations interested in village halls with a benchmark for well managed community facilities
it gives village hall volunteers confidence that they are running their hall in the correct way.

The Charity Commission acknowledge the benefit of the Hallmark Scheme

The county-based operation of Hallmark ensures that halls are responding to a scheme that is locally relevant, whilst drawing on national standards that are well benchmarked. It encourages management committees to share best practice, access local traing opportunities suitable for their needs and build strong networks at local level to create a sustainable support system.

What are the aims of Hallmark Awards?

rewards and establishes good practice
encourages improvement in established customs and procedures
rewards and recognises good practice

Norris & Fisher (Insurance Brokers) Ltd and Allied Westminster (Insurance Services) Ltd both offer a discount for village halls participating in the Hallmark Scheme.

How does the Hallmark scheme work?

Village hall committees receive a Hallmark Award in recognition of their achievement in managing their hall to a nationally recognised standard. Hallmark uses a system of trained peer visitors who use checklists to identify performance and provide an external validation of achievement. These peer visitors are often active hall committee members who have been through the Hallmark system themselves. This, peer visitor system is overseen by the Village Hall Adviser at the participating RCAN member organisation. To find out if Hallmark is operating in your county contact your local village hall adviser. There are three Hallmark Awards to achieve:

Hallmark 1 focuses on the management and administration of the charity

Hallmark 2 focuses on health, safety, security and licences

Hallmark 3 focuses on community and social awareness, communications, forward planning and development

Use this promotional document to raise awareness of the Hallmark Scheme with your committee