How we support you

Community Associations are registered charities whose function is to provide recreation and leisure time activity which will improve the conditions of life for the local residents. Their second objective is to manage a building which is used to help provide these activities. Village Halls have similar objectives.

Help and Advice
Providing active help… the main aim of the team is to help vital community organisations to develop their services to the community. The team can advise on charity law and trustee responsibilities, and even in some cases will undertake temporary management of community associations to assist them through problems. The expertise within the team allows them to provide help and guidance in most areas of community development.

Improving Communications and Supporting Volunteers Developing communities
An important part of the team's work is to support the development of the community within neighbourhoods. Current projects being planned include several that involve the team bringing together a variety of agencies to form forums that can address local problems and improve local community facilities. In particular they aim to help communities develop their own networks to manage community resources more effectively, ensuring that development meets the needs of the community, and that organisations work together in a complementary manner.  

Training And Development: Developing people
The promotion of training and development comes high on the team's list. Again partnership is the key to success and the team seeks to work closely with Council's of Voluntary Service and District authorities to provide and promote development programmes for those volunteers and staff working in the community.

In particular it aims to assist community associations and village hall management committees to attend and/or arrange suitable training and development opportunities to gain and update the necessary skills for successful management of community facilities and activities.

Providing Finance
Recreation & Heritage provides financial assistance to support community associations and village halls in maintaining their buildings and developing their communities. Both capital and revenue grants are available together with development and financial advice where appropriate.The team will also advise on other sources of funding where known.