What We Do
Village Hall and Community Buildings Service
RCAN’s Advisory service has operated since 1924. The information and wealth of knowledge has been found invaluable by many people involved with the management of Nottinghamshire’s Village Halls and Community Buildings.
Over 300 halls underpin rural community life in Nottinghamshire, reflecting a broad heritage. Our rural community buildings come in many shapes and sizes; from Village Halls, Parish Halls, Memorial Halls, Church Halls, and Club Houses to former Miners' Welfare Institutes, Town Halls and Community Centres and everything in between.
We estimate there are around 1800+ voluntary trustees, with a responsibility for managing these facilities, who will at some point, require a level of specialist support.
Village Halls Week
ACRE's annual campaign shines a spotlight on the contribution England’s 10,000+ village halls make to rural communities. During the third week of March, ACRE encourages as many halls as possible to raise awareness of their facilities and the wonderful volunteers who manage them.
SAY Now!
Our Start Action Yourself Now project, provides tailored support to community venues, helping improve their facilities while inspiring, igniting, and sustaining local action.
We work alongside venues to restore and enhance their spaces, identifying suitable funding opportunities for necessary upgrades. This leads to improved energy efficiency, reduced costs, and greater long-term sustainability.
We help create social hubs where they don’t exist, support committees in growing their volunteer base, and foster collaboration with local organisations to ensure community buildings meet the needs of residents.
SAY Now empowers volunteers to make their communities better places to live.
Borough and District Cluster Groups
Facilitated by RCAN, these groups provide an opportunity for hall management committee members to connect, share challenges and successes, and offer peer support. Representatives from external agencies and services are also be invited to share relevant information.
The groups meet two to three times a year, with each meeting held at a different community hall, allowing attendees to experience a variety of facilities.
Annual Network Event
As part of the annual Village Halls Week campaign, RCAN hosts a Network Event to bring together community hall representatives from across the county. The event celebrates the valuable work of community halls and their committees.
Attendees network over lunch, following presentations from industry professionals. A variety of trade stands support the event, showcasing relevant services for community halls.
Training and Workshops
We offer a variety of training sessions and workshops throughout the year, tailored to the needs of our members. These include both in-person and virtual formats. Topics range from improving digital skills and keeping committees up to date with the latest legislation, to expanding knowledge on safeguarding and other relevant topics. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive range of learning opportunities to share expertise and support development.
Travelling Together: Support for Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller Families in Nottinghamshire
Travelling Together provides a dedicated Advice and Advocacy Service for Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) families across Nottinghamshire, supported by funding from Nottinghamshire County Council, Local Communities Funding. Our experienced staff understand GRT culture and offer tailored, solution-focused support to ensure the best outcomes for individuals and the wider community. Whether you need help with accommodation, health, feeling safe, education, or other services, we’re here to help, signpost and support.
What We Can Do for You:
- One-to-One Support: We listen to your needs and give you advice and help that’s right for you or help put you in touch with support.
- Face-to-Face Support: We can meet you in person where you live, especially if you have trouble getting to or talking to other services.
- Working with Other Services: We can talk to other people and services to make sure you get the support you need.
Get in Touch to see if we can help :
If you need help, contact us by email: enquiries@rcan.org.uk or call us at 0115 6975800.
