Hallmark
ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England), the umbrella body for all Rural Community Councils, has developed a national quality standards scheme for community buildings which is called the Hallmark Scheme.
In Gloucestershire, the Hallmark Scheme is run by the GRCC in partnership with a team of volunteer assessors who are themselves members of management committees. They are specifically trained to undertake the assessment, using a system of checklists to identify performance. There are three different sections or levels which must be completed in order:
- Hallmark 1 - Charity administration and management
- Hallmark 2 - Health, safety, security and licences
- Hallmark 3 - Social awareness, community, forward planning and development
The Hallmark awards are open to all village and community halls in Gloucestershire. Any hall management committee who are interested in participating in the scheme must be a registered charity. It is hoped that the scheme will be extended to include parish and town councils in the foreseeable future.
Benefits of the Hallmark Scheme
- The scheme is a certificated quality standard that aims to promote best practice for village and community hall management committees.
- If you are considering applying for funding for projects, the Hallmark Scheme as part of a national quality standard will be recognised by funders, or if you are looking to work with other delivery partners to strengthen access to services within your community, the Hallmark Scheme can be used as a benchmark of the quality of management that you deliver within your hall.
- When working towards Hallmark 2, some halls may be eligible for a small bursary up until December 2010 through the GRCC’s Performance Improvement for All project
- Helps build confidence that you are running the hall in the correct way.
Further information can be obtained through the links below or by contacting Tom Davis on 01452 528491 or email tomd@grcc.org.uk
