Community First is working with Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) to promote safeguarding as part of Village Hall Safeguarding Week 2020. ACRE was recently awarded over £100k from the National Lottery Community Fund to promote good safeguarding practice to village and community halls throughout England.

Community First supports a network of village halls and community buildings in Wiltshire and Swindon, through the Wiltshire Village Halls Association. We will be promoting the campaign between 16th – 22nd November 2020 to help ensure the voluntary management committees that run halls and community buildings have the knowledge and confidence to provide a safe environment for all.

Advice and examples of best practice will be shared with local halls and buildings throughout the campaign week, so that they fully understand their responsibilities and have appropriate and robust policies and procedures in place.

The campaign will be supported by Village and Community Halls Adviser Helen Akiyama, who provides advice and support to our network of halls and buildings across Wiltshire and Swindon. Helen will work with management committees to help them understand current legislation around safeguarding and make sure procedures are in place which reflect good practice.

Ultimately, Village Halls Safeguarding week aims to increase awareness of the importance of safeguarding and making sure that these important rural assets are welcoming and safe places for all.

For more information about safeguarding for village halls and community buildings, please see our dedicated village hall safeguarding page, with useful links and relevant contact information. For questions about the campaign or for general queries, please contact Helen Akiyama: hakiyama@communityfirst.org.uk