It's Village Halls Week this week and our Go Volunteer Glos Manager, Emma, has written a blog that explores the vital role that volunteers across Gloucestershire play in keeping our village halls up and running.
"This year, Village Halls Week focusses on celebrating and supporting the volunteers who maintain these essential community spaces.
Village halls are much more than just physical spaces—they are the heartbeats of rural communities, serving as vital hubs where people gather, socialise, and engage in community events. These halls are often central pillars that hold together rural communities, ensuring that people of all ages and backgrounds feel connected and supported.
The Role of Volunteers in Village Halls
Behind every village hall is a group of dedicated volunteers who take on a wide range of tasks, from overseeing the hall as a trustee, to maintaining the building and organising events. Volunteers are the lifeblood of these community resources, ensuring that they are well-kept and accessible to the entire community.
In Gloucestershire, volunteers often act as the managers of the space, coordinating bookings, scheduling events, and liaising with local groups to ensure that the hall is being used effectively.
Why Volunteer at a Village Hall?
We know there are so many benefits to volunteering, but why use that time particularly for a village hall?
- Strengthening your community: Village halls are central hubs where those living in your local community gather for events—from yoga classes to local markets to children’s parties. Being involved in your local village halls, helps put you at the forefront facilitating activities that supports your community to feel like a great place to live.
- Preserve local heritage: Many village halls are historic buildings that reflect the unique character of their communities. Volunteering helps in the upkeep and preservation of these structures, maintaining a tangible link to the past. If you have a keen interest in history, this is a great opportunity to get some hands-on experience.
- Personal Development: Volunteering naturally offers opportunities to learn new skills, gain valuable work experience, and enhance your CV. It's also a chance to meet new people and make friends. When volunteering with a village hall, it offers a unique opportunity to learn management skills that can be used across a variety of careers.
So why does this matter?
For many rural communities in Gloucestershire, village halls are one of the few places where people can gather and engage with one another, regardless of age, background, or economic status. In smaller villages, the hall may be one of the only venues where cultural and social events can even take place. It is a place for many communities, providing space for everything from health services, local markets, and youth clubs to social events and celebrations.
Volunteering in these halls helps ensure that these spaces continue to be accessible to everyone. Whether it's maintaining the physical building or supporting events that help foster a sense of community, volunteers are key to keeping these spaces alive and relevant to the needs of the village".
Find out more
If you would like more information about volunteering or perhaps run a village hall and would like more volunteers, please get in touch with our Go Volunteer Glos team: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Free volunteering workshop
Emma is running a special ‘Recruiting and supporting your volunteers’ webinar on 19 March 2025 as part of our Village Halls Week celebrations.You can find out more and book your place on our online bookings page. The deadline for bookings is 5pm on Monday 17 March 2025.
Keep updated
Don't forget to join our VCSE Sector News Bulletin mailing list to keep updated about news, events, resources and more. More information and our sign up form is on our newsletters page
