The information on this web page has been adapted from a factsheet provided by Durham Rural Community Council.
How to Maintain, Sustain and Retain your Community Building
Is it a village hall, community centre, miners' welfare, parish rooms, literary institute? It may well be the local social, sports, leisure and health centre. Whatever it's called, if it's happening in your community, is it happening in your community building? Is your community building buzzing with life? Or could it be used for more activities?
The more things we do in our local community building, the less we need to use our cars. This in turn will help cut pollution.
More events and activities will not only benefit people who don't have their own transport but will also enrich
the social life of the whole community.
If you are starting from scratch you will be able to design and build a centre to meet changing needs.
Here are some suggestions and ideas to make your community building a better-used and greener place.
Starting from the Outside
- Is your building signposted from the road?
- Is it signed on the outside so that everyone knows what the building is?
- Can the sign be seen from the road?
- Is there an outside noticeboard displaying activities and a contact name?
- Is access to the building safe?
- Is the entrance accessible to all?
- Is there designated parking near the entrance for disabled users?
- Is the outside area and entrance well-lit?
- Is there space for a covered pram/push-chair park?
- Could the surroundings be improved by landscaping which would also benefit wildlife and maybe provide a recreation area?
- Is there space for an allotment to grow fruit and vegetables organically?
- Is there space for a hut for a garden association to sell organic fertiliser, compost and garden supplies to members?
Using your Building
Is it an attractive place for people to meet?
- Consider what you can do to encourage more people to use your hall. Find out what changes people would like to see to make it a more attractive and enjoyable meeting place.
- Are there any groups of people who don't use your building? Find out what would encourage them to do so - no group or individual should feel excluded.
- Is the entrance warm, friendly and inviting?
- First impressions count - make sure people's first impression, especially new users', is a good one.
- Do you have a noticeboard with up to date information on activities and contact people? Do you have a leaflet about your activities which people can take away?
- Is the building warm and welcoming, clean and tidy?
If it is dingy and unattractive, maybe you could get a task force together and brighten it up with paints donated locally or through Dulux Community Projects. Could the local school or Youth Club help with a mural?
Is your building accessible to all users?
Consider carrying out an access audit or survey - this will help you identify your obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. An audit report will also help you access funding for improvements you need to make.
Greening your building
- If it is cold and draughty, help improve its insulation and draught proofing.
- People will be more likely to use your building in the winter if you make the building warmer and this will save on heating bills. This in turn will save fossil fuel, reduce pollution and global warming.
- Find out other ways to save energy.
- Use low energy light bulbs and appliances. Improve your heating control systems which might in turn improve the efficiency of your heating system.
- Adopt no-cost energy saving measures - close doors, turn off lights, reduce room temperatures where possible.
- Make all users energy-aware.
Carry out an energy audit
This will identify what needs to be done to conserve energy and where best to spend money. An audit can be a good starting point for a refurbishment programme when funding permits, and will support any funding applications you need to make.
- Check on the building's use of water.
- Have someone responsible for checking dripping taps and ensuring toilets are working efficiently.
- If there is no recycling centre in your community, consider accommodating one in your car park
- Approach the Environmental Health Department at your District or Borough Council to explore possibilities.
- Provide facilities for bicycles and prams
- Encourage people to cycle to your hall by providing facilities for bicycles to be parked near the building. If
possible provide a covered pram/push-chair park. - Use your building to promote sustainable living in your community
Remember - it's not just about the building. Some ideas on uses:
- An IT/Resource Centre with computer, fax, Internet, email, word processing
- Distance learning and training possibilities
- A Jobs Board
- A noticeboard/leaflet display on local and wider activities, events and services
- A venue for a wide range of community activities including exhibitions
- Talks
- Evening classes
- Information on greener lifestyles.
Finally
If you need any further help on running your community building, information and support is available from :
Durham Rural Community Council (DRCC) on 01207 529621.
DRCC can also provide further information on sources of funding for energy audits and access audits.
