We invited Steve Scott, one of our brilliant Village Hall Peer Mentors, to explain more about the role.

 

When I first became a village hall trustee, I often remember thinking, “Why didn’t anyone tell me about this bit?”

Not because it was awful – but because there was so much to learn, and no obvious place to ask those small, everyday questions. The type of questions that don’t feel important enough to get formal advice, but that can still keep you awake at night.

That’s why I chose to become a Peer Mentor.

We’ve been there too

If you’re sitting on a village hall committee right now, chances are you’re juggling bookings, buildings, policies, people and paperwork – all as a volunteer. You might be new to the role, or you might have been involved for years, but suddenly you find yourself dealing with something unfamiliar.

As Peer Mentors, we’re not experts with all the answers. What we do have though, is experience. We are or have been village hall trustees ourselves. We’ve sat through long meetings, worried about finances, tried to recruit new volunteers and worked out policies by trial and error.

That experience really matters, particularly in knowing where best to find information, assistance or guidance on a particular subject.

A friendly conversation, not a judgement

Peer mentoring isn’t about being told what you should be doing. It’s about talking things through with someone who understands the pressures and responsibilities of running a village hall.

Sometimes the most useful thing I can offer is reassurance, letting someone know they are not the only committee facing that issue. Often, it’s about sharing something that worked well for our hall, or pointing others towards a helpful resource.

It’s always informal, confidential and at the pace that suits the hall asking for support.

Little insights can make a big difference

Often, it’s the small tips that can help most. Things like:

• how another hall organised committee roles more clearly
• ways to make meetings more manageable
• what helped when recruiting new trustees felt impossible

These aren’t complicated fixes. They’re practical insights picked up along the way, the sort you only learn by doing the role yourself.

A friendly ear

What I value most about being a Peer Mentor is the sense of connection. One conversation can help someone feel less stuck, less alone and more confident to take the next steps.

And that works both ways. Supporting another hall reminds me how much knowledge trustees quietly build up over time – and how valuable it can be when shared.

If you are part of a village hall committee and feel that a friendly chat might help, why not get in touch? The best way to access Peer Mentor support is by contacting Lisa Chambers, Cambridgeshire ACRE’s Community Development Officer, explaining what you’d like help with and she’ll match you to a Peer Mentor who can help.