‘Our village halls play such a vital role as hubs of the community’
CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO URGE HALLS TO ‘GO GREEN’ AND SUPPORT CLIMATE CHANGE FIGHT
VILLAGE halls across East Staffordshire are being encouraged to ‘go green’ as part of national Village Halls Week 2024.
The campaign is a call to action for the vital community hubs to address the climate emergency in their own way.
Organisers of the week, including local charity Support Staffordshire, believe there is great potential to connect the concerns over climate change to the struggles village halls face to meet their energy bills, as many are old, off the gas grid and difficult to heat.
Halls across Staffordshire are expected to host open days and events to mark their involvement in the campaign, to showcase the work they do, and the value they bring to the local community.
Jill Norman, from Support Staffordshire, said: “There are over 180 village halls in Staffordshire and they play such a vital role as community hubs.
“The Village Halls Week is an opportunity to celebrate and value what they do.
“It’s a chance to take part in activities and maybe even to think about joining in more often, perhaps helping out on the organising side, as volunteers are always needed.”
Run almost entirely by volunteers, village halls are a cornerstone of rural community life in Staffordshire, providing what are often the only spaces where people can meet and socialise locally.
They also sustain many livelihoods connected with the use of the venue.
Village Halls Week 2024 is a call to action with management committees being encouraged to consider how they can ‘go green’ – to safeguard their own future and that of the wider environment.
A livestream has launched the publication of a new design guide, produced by Stagg Architects, which offers practical advice on retrofitting halls to reduce energy consumption and dependency on fossil fuels.
It features the efforts of six pioneering halls who have done just that – improving insulation, replacing heating systems and even generating their own electricity.
It is hoped that the recent £5m uplift in grant funding announced by the Chancellor in the Spring Budget will help many more communities undertake such works.
The campaign is also encouraging village halls to work with and provide a space for environmentally minded groups and initiatives – from repair clubs and conservation volunteers to refill stations.
Support Staffordshire provides help and advice to village halls across the county, including expert support and development advice on all aspects of running an effective organisation – such as funding, charity governance, legislation, and licensing.
During Village Halls Week 2024, Support Staffordshire’s rural officers will be visiting some village halls to hear their stories.
The Village Halls Week is an opportunity to celebrate and value what they do
Jill Norman