Cambridgeshire ACRE • What we do • Supporting community buildings

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Supporting community buildings

How we can help

Community buildings like village halls, pubs and shops sit at the heart of rural life. They are places where people come together for social events, learning, local services and support.

That’s why we believe it’s so important to help these much loved spaces not just survive, but thrive.

Cambridgeshire ACRE offers friendly, practical advice to the trustees, volunteers and staff who run these community assets. Our aim is to build your confidence, share knowledge and support you.

Community buildings advice

We are here to support the volunteers and trustees who run community buildings, offering practical help and trusted guidance on every aspect of managing a village hall or community centre.

Those who join us as a member have access to a wide range of resources, including template documents such as model hire agreements and constitutions, along with over 40 easy-to-follow information sheets, covering key topics such as health and safety, storage, licensing, accessibility and VAT. All these documents are available through our Community Buildings Connect online network in a dedicated members’ area.

We also run regular training and networking events both online and in person across the county. We share regular useful updates and advice in our e-newsletter as keeping you informed of the latest developments is an important part of our service.

Our team are part of the national network of nearly 40 village hall advisors supported by ACRE (Action for Communities in Rural England). If we don’t have the answer straight away, we’ll know someone who does.

Sustainability advice service

We offer a tailored support service to help village halls and other community buildings improve their energy efficiency and reduce running costs. The service is designed to meet buildings where they are, whether they’re just beginning to think about sustainability or already planning major upgrades.

We deliver fully-funded energy audits to member community buildings across the county. Each audit provides practical, independent advice based on how your building is constructed, how it’s used, and where energy savings are most likely to be found. Following the audit, we work with members to develop a realistic action plan to prioritise improvements – from low-cost quick wins like lighting and draughtproofing to larger investments such as insulation or renewable technologies.
In addition to the audit service, we offer ongoing one-to-one support to help you explore funding opportunities, identify suitable installers and make informed decisions about energy-saving projects. A free toolkit of resources, including energy tracking templates and guidance for trustees, is also available to all participating buildings via our Community Buildings Connect online network.

Community Buildings Connect – our online network for those running community buildings

Our online network is a space where anyone involved in running community buildings can connect, share ideas and learn from one another.

It is designed to help you feel supported in your role, whether you are looking for practical advice, tried-and-tested templates, or simply want to see how others are tackling similar challenges. You will find useful resources, as well as conversations with fellow trustees who understand the day-to-day realities of managing a community facility.

The platform is open to anyone involved in a community building to join, with a private area for members of Cambridgeshire ACRE to access membership benefits such as information sheets, templates and the Hallmark Accreditation Scheme material.

We encourage you to log in regularly to see what’s new and take part in discussions. To join, click here to set up a login: Join Community Buildings Connect.

Hallmark accreditation scheme

Hallmark is a nationally recognised quality standard for village halls and community buildings.

Developed by ACRE, it gives management committees a clear and practical framework for reviewing how their building is run. Highlighting good practice and identifying areas for improvement. It also provides well-earned recognition for the volunteers who work so hard behind the scenes.

At Cambridgeshire ACRE, we support local halls to take part in the scheme and achieve accreditation. Assessments are carried out either by our Village Halls Advisor or by a trained peer visitor, using a straightforward checklist that covers how your building is managed, maintained and governed.

Taking part is a positive and supportive process, and many halls tell us it helps strengthen confidence and attract new trustees and funding.

Peer mentoring for village hall trustees

Running a village hall can be hugely rewarding but sometimes challenging, especially if you’re new to the role or facing a tricky issue. That’s where our peer mentors comes in.

We have a team of experienced village hall trustees from across Cambridgeshire who are happy to share their knowledge and offer a listening ear. Whether you need advice on policies, ideas for improving your hall, or just someone who understands the ups and downs of trustee life, we are here to help.

Peer mentors don’t replace professional advice where that’s needed, but they can offer friendly, practical support and signpost you to the right place if something needs to be escalated. All mentors have completed a short training course with Cambridgeshire ACRE so you can feel confident about the support they can provide.

If you would like to speak with a peer mentor, or are interested in becoming one, please get in touch. You can contact Lisa Chambers, Village Halls Advisor, on 01353 865048 or email lisa.chambers@cambsacre.org.uk.

Feasibility studies and new building design

If your community is thinking about improving an existing building or creating a brand new one, we are here to help you explore what’s possible.

Cambridgeshire ACRE can support you to carry out a feasibility study, including consultation with local residents to understand what the community really needs. Where helpful, we can also involve one of our architect associates to offer early ideas and design options based on your space and ambitions.

Most major building or refurbishment projects will need external funding. We can help you identify suitable funders and guide you through the application process.

Switching your utilities the easy way

We have teamed up with Utility Aid to make switching your utilities quick and hassle-free. Utility Aid are the UK’s largest energy broker for the not-for-profit sector, they have introduced a simple online utilities switching service.

Find out more on the dedicated webpage https://cambsacre.org.uk/online-utilities-switching-service/

This service gives you instant access to commercial utility quotations from reliable, credit-vetted suppliers at any time. You can also use the built-in chat function to speak directly with a Utility Aid Energy Specialist between 9am and 5pm for advice and guidance.

The site is designed for organisations looking to switch one or two supplies. For more complex enquiries, Utility Aid can provide tailored support through a referral service.