In our latest staff blog, Village Halls Advisor, Lisa Chambers, discusses the value of the Hallmark quality standard for village halls and gives some insight into the accreditation process.
As the Village Halls Advisor at Cambridgeshire ACRE, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with the committees who manage our county’s village halls. Each hall is unique, reflecting the character of its community, but one thing remains constant: the dedication of volunteers who keep these spaces open for us all to enjoy. Managing a village hall, however, is no small task, and that’s why we offer the Hallmark Accreditation Scheme, a framework that supports trustees to operate these vital community spaces in line with best practice.
In my role, I’ve seen first-hand how the Hallmark Scheme transforms the management of village halls, ensuring they remain safe, well-run, and responsive to the needs of their communities. Here’s why I believe this scheme is so valuable, and how I can support village hall trustees through the process.
Village halls are more than just buildings—they are at the heart of rural communities. From hosting birthday parties, wedding receptions, to providing spaces for work meetings or social coffee mornings, exercise classes, and social groups, they play a vital role in bringing people together. But with this role comes a responsibility and village hall committees must navigate a maze of governance issues, safety regulations, and legal obligations. This can be overwhelming, especially for volunteers who may not have prior experience in these areas.
However, the Hallmark Accreditation Scheme offers a solution. It’s a nationally recognised quality standard designed specifically for village halls, covering key areas like charity governance, health and safety, and forward planning.
Supporting halls through the accreditation journey
One of the most rewarding parts of my role is guiding village hall committees through the accreditation process. The scheme is broken into three levels, each building on the previous one, allowing halls to progress at their own pace. Here’s how I work with committees at each stage:
Hallmark 1: Governance and Management
The first level focuses on charity governance, ensuring that committees are running their halls effectively and meeting their legal obligations as charities. Many village hall committees are doing great work but may not have formalized their processes. My role is to help them get their house in order. This might involve helping them review their governing documents, improve financial procedures, or set up regular meetings with proper record-keeping.
For some committees, this is a chance to tidy up long-standing practices that have become informal over time. For others, it’s an opportunity to create new structures that bring clarity and confidence to the trustees. Once the committee has completed the Hallmark 1 checklist and visit, they can move on to the next level.
Hallmark 2: Health, Safety, and Security
This level addresses the operational side of running a village hall, specifically health, safety, and security. Keeping users safe is one of the most important responsibilities for any village hall committee, and this stage ensures that the right policies and procedures are in place.
The checklist and peer visit assists committees by helping them review safety protocols, assess risks, and ensure they have the correct licenses and insurance in place. We cover fire safety, safeguarding, first aid provision, and building security to ensure the hall is a safe space for the entire community. This level often results in committees feeling more confident that their halls are well-managed and compliant with safety regulations.
Hallmark 3: Community Awareness and Forward Planning
The final level encourages village halls to think strategically about their role in the community and their future sustainability. This stage is all about asking the bigger questions: How can the hall better serve the community? What are the future needs of the population? How can the hall secure long-term financial viability?
I can work with the committees to help them engage with their communities through surveys, consultations, or open meetings. Trustees also need to focus on forward planning for their charity, and we encourage committees to develop strategic plans that outline long-term goals and funding strategies. By the time they complete Hallmark 3, village halls have a clear sense of purpose and direction, trustees are better equipped to meet the changing needs of their communities.
The Peer Review Process
One of the unique aspects of the Hallmark Scheme is its peer-review approach. Rather than being assessed by external auditors, the scheme is evaluated by other village hall trustees who have gone through the process themselves. This creates a supportive, community-focused process where halls can learn from each other.
As the Village Halls Advisor, I help coordinate these assessments, matching halls with peer reviewers and offering guidance and support to both sides. The peer review process is often seen as one of the highlights of the scheme—it’s less about catching mistakes and more about sharing experiences, knowledge and best practices. Committees frequently tell me how valuable it is to receive feedback from someone who understands the realities of running a village hall.
What does the Hallmark accreditation achieve?
The Hallmark Scheme brings numerous benefits, not just to the hall committee, but to the whole community:
• Improved confidence: Committees gain the skills and knowledge needed to manage their halls effectively. This boosts their confidence and competence, making the role less stressful and more enjoyable.
• A safer, better-run space: With Hallmark accreditation, halls can be confident that they meet high standards of safety, security, and management. This gives peace of mind to both users and those responsible for running the hall.
• Attracting funding and support: Hallmark status acts as a seal of approval. Funders, local authorities, and potential hirers will view accredited halls more favourably, knowing that they are well-managed and compliant with regulations.
• A stronger community presence: The forward-thinking focus of Hallmark 3 ensures that village halls remain relevant to their communities. By actively engaging with local residents, halls can adapt to meet new needs and remain vibrant community hubs.
• Recognition of volunteer efforts: For many committees, achieving Hallmark accreditation is a well-deserved recognition of their hard work. The accreditation provides validation of the countless volunteer hours spent managing and continuously improving the hall.
Is it time for you to take part?
I see the Hallmark Accreditation Scheme as an invaluable tool for supporting village halls. It not only ensures high standards but also helps hall management committees evolve to meet changing needs. The accreditation journey can seem daunting at first, but with guidance, commitment, and the collaborative spirit of peer support, it can become a rewarding experience.
If you are a trustee of a village hall in Cambridgeshire and haven’t yet considered the Hallmark Scheme, I encourage you to get in touch. Together, we can work to ensure your hall is a safe, welcoming, and sustainable space remaining at the heart of your community.