Devon’s village halls and community buildings are the lifeblood of our local areas – creating cultural vibrancy, promoting a supportive community, and connecting one another.

At the end of 2022, in conjunction with Devon Communities Together (DCT), we helped to encourage the county’s local community hubs to reach out and work with the independent charity via their Village Halls Audit, with the aim of finding out exactly what these largely volunteer-run assets currently offer and what could be improved. The goal was to assess underused potential, helping halls provide greater services to the people of our local towns and villages.

339 (over 80%) of Devon’s village halls gave their feedback and, from this, DCT has created a first-of-its-kind community asset map for Devon. 

This new online service will allow residents and organisers across the county to search for their local community venue, and see key information based on their facilities, including capacity, parking, equipment available and more. 

Of course, some of the key findings highlight the challenges that many halls face – and crucially, has kickstarted a plan to support their future.

67% of those audited said they are currently unoccupied for over 50% of the time, often seeking grant funding to plug the gap. There is also a common struggle in finding volunteers, particularly from a younger audience, which again leads to fears for the longevity of the traditional village hall as a community hub.

But despite the many challenges, the drive and determination from the hardworking and ambitious volunteers behind the scenes is clearer than ever. 

On ideas for future use of local halls, 41% said that they would be interested in offering space for online medical appointments and telehealth services – something that could help people in rural communities to access health services where they are either limited or too far away to access regularly.

Charlotte Squire, Project Manager who led the Village Halls Audit at DCT said: “The message that comes across loud and clear is that village halls really are the beating heart of so many communities. Now that we have this evidence, we hope a more structured approach to funding and training support can be achieved.”

Prior to now, a community asset map has never existed. This new tool helps to preserve the future of these vital spaces by presenting them in one central database for those who need them most. It simplifies the process of booking by offering key information in one place, including website and contact details of each hall or building, and an overview of facilities that allows you to quickly determine if the space is fit for your needs – from digital connectivity and access to Wi-Fi, to projector screens and catering space.

Nicola Gurr, Chair of the Board of Trustees, is positive about the future of village halls, saying: “Having undertaken the audit across Devon and now having a clearer understanding about the challenges that village halls are facing, the support from DCT couldn’t be more vital.”

Next time you’re looking for a venue for a party, a reception, an activity club or something totally outside the box, look to your village hall. 

View the Devon village halls database here: www.tinyurl.com/DCTCommunityAssetMap 

You can read the full results of the audit at www.devoncommunities.org.uk/projects/village-halls-community-buildings-audit