Research
It is part of CCD's Comunity Buildings Programme to undertake research to identify key issues affecting Rural Community Buildings and Village Halls. The research is used to lobby policy makers to make a positive change and help support community based organisations.
The Impact of the Investment in Village Halls 2005 -2006
Davis Hall, West Camel (Somerset) highlights the impact capital investment can have in a hall as the number of people using the hall increased by 190% after project completion.
The Aim of the Research
Village Hall Advisers (VHA’s) from the South West have long been aware that when a village/community hall committee received grants to improve or replace its hall, it has a considerable impact on the development and sustainability of, not only that hall, but the community as a whole. This can be from new activities taking place, new groups forming and existing ones increasing their membership post project completion. Funding from one source can lever funding from another source. However, there was little hard evidence to back this up.
VHAs agreed from their experience, it can take between two to five years for halls to reach their full potential after completion of an improvement or new build project. It was decided that halls to be used in the research must have completed their project a minimum of two years and a maximum of five years from the date when the data was collected. It was decided that the sample of halls surveyed must also provide a good cross-section of project types.
Overview of Key Findings
The research highlighted that capital investment in (the vast majority of) the village halls shows new and more diverse usage. Capital investment to village halls results in new surpluses being generated (financial), which helps to sustain village halls in the future. From the 30 village halls studied, the research revealed that communities raised £1,217,568 of the funding needed for capital works, which is a substantial amount of community fundraising.
The research report is due for release in early 2007. For a copy of the full report please go to (LINK)
Feasibility Study for a Community Building Website in Devon 2007
The feasibility study interviewed 30 community buildings by using a simple telephone questionnaire survey in April 2007. The aim of the questionnaire was to find out how community buildings are marketing their services, the day to day usage of their facilities and identifying the need for improving marketing with the possibility of developing a dedicated website for community buildings in Devon.
The feasibility study showed community buildings utilise a variety of marketing techniques but they tend to be insular in marketing their services predominately to their local communities. They are missing out on a potential lucrative commercial market which could both improve their usage and financial sustainability. The community buildings interviewed were generally underused and have potential space for more activities and new hirers.
Over 80% of community buildings interviewed showed an interest in having their building on a dedicated website as well as having the skills to keep their information updated. It can be concluded that community buildings would welcome the development of a website which would assist in marketing their services but also help strengthen community building network in Devon. To view the full report [Link]
A website steering committee has been formed consisting of management committee members from 9 community buildings. The steering group have drafted a tender document for organisations interested in developing the website provision. To view the application for tender go to [Link] or to view a copy of the application form [Link]
For further information or to get involved please contact Penny on penny@devonrcc.org.uk or telephone 01392 383 681
