Village halls across England including here in Erewash, are now able to apply to the Platinum Jubilee Village Halls Fund for grants to improve buildings and facilities.
Announced by Defra to mark the occasion of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in May 2022, the fund recognises the important role that village halls play in supporting rural communities.
There are over 250 halls in Derbyshire, 60% of which are the only place where people can meet locally, according to research by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE). Aside from hosting a wide range of social and recreational activities for residents, they also host vital services such as post offices, doctors’ surgeries and shops, and are supported by an estimated 2,500 committed volunteers.
Following a competitive process, ACRE was appointed to manage the fund. The charity already provides specialist support and advice to the volunteers who run these important rural assets through its countrywide network of community support organisations.
James Blake, ACRE’s Chair, said, “We are delighted to be administering this grant fund. Village halls are the beating heart of rural communities across England. They provide warm, welcoming spaces that bring people together, combat loneliness and support countless livelihoods which is especially important at a time when the cost-of-living crisis is bearing down on many. This investment, combined with the specialist support and advice of ACRE members will help modernise many of these important buildings so they can continue serving local communities.”
Lord Benyon, Minister for Rural Affairs, said: “The Platinum Jubilee Village Halls Fund will create a national network of legacy projects to benefit rural communities. This will be a lasting tribute to the long, exceptional service of Her Late Majesty the Queen and will support village halls, many of which were built in commemoration of Her Majesty’s predecessors, Queen Victoria and King George V. Today, village halls remain a key community asset and efforts to modernise these spaces will ensure that they are used by generations to come.”
News of the grant fund opening comes at a time when many village halls are struggling with increased energy costs. In a survey conducted earlier this year, only 17% of management committees believed their hall was energy efficient and 57% agreed rising utility bills were creating financial difficulties.
Deborah Clarke, ACRE’s Village Halls manager, said, “News that the Platinum Jubilee Fund is now open for applications will be welcomed by England’s village halls. We hope that many will use this opportunity to future proof their buildings, such as installing public broadband and investing in insulation and heating systems to make them more energy efficient."
Groups responsible for village halls and working on projects that lead to a reduction in rural loneliness, have a positive impact on the local environment, support the rural economy and contribute to community life will be able to apply for grants between £7,500 and £75,000.
Initial applications to the fund can be made until midnight 20th January 2023. Another window for applications is expected mid-February but the duration of this will depend on the value of unallocated funds remaining.
For further information, including how to apply for the fund, visit: acre.org.uk/platinum-jubilee-village-halls-fund