Village Hall Safeguarding Week

Today marks the start of Village Hall Safeguarding Week #VillageHallSafeguardingWeek. This week, CCS and the ACRE Network are campaigning for safer village halls.

Follow CCS and Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) on social media to learn about safeguarding, the responsibilities placed on village halls, why it’s important and what you need to do!

This is part of a national campaign working with the wider ACRE network to make sure community buildings have the policies and procedures in place to keep everyone safe. Over the coming months, CCS will be providing ongoing support, including safeguarding training, for hall committees across Somerset. ACRE’s involvement in this national campaign is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.

This week is also Safeguarding Adults Week 2020, a national campaign run by Ann Craft Trust.

Paul Dixon, ACRE’s Rural Evidence Manager said: “We want volunteers managing village halls to understand they have an important part to play in creating safe spaces for members of their community, especially when it comes to protecting younger or more vulnerable rural people. Over the campaign week we will be highlighting the importance of having safeguarding policies and procedures in place, how everyone has a responsibility to look out for others, and where to find help”