Partnerships
Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE)
The ACRE Network exists to provide a voice for rural communities, and to help them achieve great things locally.
The network has been making a difference to rural communities since the 1920s. A century on, there are 38 organisations, plus ACRE nationally, working in concert to address rural issues and supporting a wide range of community-led initiatives that encourage a culture of volunteering and mutual aid, reduce social isolation and loneliness, increase the supply of affordable housing, boost the local economy, and reduce impact on the environment.
As a member of ACRE, Community Futures can:
- Showcase the difference rural communities are making in Lancashire
- Be aware of national policy developments, so we can seek the views of our rural communities, drawing on their collective knowledge and experience to add to our own and inform ACRE’s advocacy work.
- Network with colleagues working countrywide, to share experience and support each other in our work
- Have access to technical advice, information, and training to maintain and enhance professional capabilities underpinning our support for village halls and other types of rural community projects
- Have opportunities to apply for and deliver national grant schemes for the benefit of rural communities.
Village Halls Week 2026
Connecting communities to health and wellbeing
The annual campaign is set to return in March to highlight the importance of village halls to the health and wellbeing of rural communities across England, Wales and Scotland.
Village hall groups across the UK are being encouraged to put 16-22 March 2026 in their diaries by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE).
Colleagues in the ACRE Network suggested the campaign focus on the important role that village and community halls play in the health and wellbeing of their communities. Village Halls are at the heart of rural life, playing a vital role in keeping people healthy, active, and connected. By providing spaces for exercise, social clubs, health sessions, and peer support, they help prevent isolation and promote wellbeing at every stage of life. This community-led support not only enriches lives but also reduces pressure on the NHS and other statutory services, helping people to stay well for longer and closer to home.
ACRE’s annual campaign shines a bright spotlight on the contribution that village halls make to rural communities.
ACRE’s Village Halls Manager, Deborah Clarke said,
“We are pleased to share that the 10th Village Halls Week will highlight health and wellbeing. Volunteers managing halls play an essential role in connecting people and helping to create resilient, healthier rural communities. ACRE will share more details later in the New Year, but we expect the week’s campaign to highlight the NHS 5 steps to wellbeing.”
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