Celebrating Scottish Village Halls

Scottish Rural Action (SRA) have announced a first for Scotland!

They are taking part in the Village Halls Week from March 17-23, 2025 together with the English village halls network run by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) and are calling on rural and island Scottish village halls and community hubs to take part in the celebration.  

Village halls and community hubs are often the heart of rural and island communities and this year SRA are spotlighting the incredible volunteers who tirelessly manage rural community buildings, ensuring these vital spaces remain open and vibrant for residents, groups, and businesses.

Village halls in Scotland are invited to join this celebration for the first time, marking a new partnership between SRA and ACRE.

Christine Fairbairn from SRA said:

“Everyone involved in running a village hall understands its vital role in community life. Volunteers make an extraordinary contribution, often against the odds, driven by determination, laughter, and countless cups of tea. We’re delighted to bring Village Halls Week to Scotland, honoring both these spaces and the volunteers who sustain them.”

SRA are inviting village halls in Scotland to join the celebration, which offers the chance to:

• Join a cross-border village hall movement!
• Celebrate their volunteers and the essential role they play in the community.
• Showcase their village hall and its impact on local life.
• Receive free campaign merchandise, including bunting, badges, and posters, thanks to sponsorship from Utility Aid.

The event builds on the growing momentum to support the community hub and village hall communities across rural and island Scotland, which includes the publication of the 'Village and Community Halls Handbook' and a national conference which brought over 160 people together to build capacity, share knowlege and learning and explore themes like energy and sustainability, succession planning and getting young people involved in village and community spaces, facilities management, and financial stability.

To receive your free resources, make sure to register by December 17, 2024 at the link: Village Halls Week 2025 - Register & get involved! (smartsurvey.co.uk)