In Autumn 2025, our LVHT project was successfully awarded funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, Awards for All. This funding enables us to develop dedicated resources to help develop a sustainable advice, guidance, and information service for Village Halls and Community Buildings across Lancashire.
In the early stages of the project, we focused on developing our database to improve how we connect with halls. In January 2026, we began planning to host the first Village Halls Week Launch event, in partnership with ACRE.
Launch of Village Halls Week
The launch event brought together hall trustees, managers, volunteers, system leaders and ACRE’s CEO and Rural Evidence & Village Halls Manager, creating a welcoming environment for shared learning, peer connection, open discussion and honest reflection.
Through structured workshops and facilitated conversations, we gained valuable insight into what trustees value most, where support could be strengthened, and how we can develop future services in partnership with the sector.
Trustees shared what is currently working well, what feels increasingly challenging, and the types of support would make a meaningful difference.
The response was overwhelmingly positive, with the quality of feedback and level of engagement demonstrating a strong appetite for tailored, locally grounded support. This input is now providing further insight to help shape a Village Halls and Community Buildings Support Service for Lancashire – a dedicated service Lancashire has lacked for several years. We aim to ensure this support is relevant, accessible and effective for all halls.
These partnerships are central to our approach and will enable us to align expertise, avoid duplication, and create clearer pathways of support for halls across the county. Working collaboratively allows us to amplify good practice and offer a more joined-up experience for hall committees.
Village Halls Week was an encouraging first step, and we look forward to continuing the conversation and turning insight into action for Lancashire’s rural communities.
