CCS Community Buildings Newsletter

COMMUNITY BUILDINGS BULLETIN MARCH 2020

It’s spring at last and a good time to plan ahead. I’ve been with CCS for two months now and it has been great getting to know some of you and hearing how you would like us to support you in the future. One request has been for more frequent news bulletins. In this edition: 

Deadlines for renewing your CCS membership and new Hallmark applications

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Coronavirus and community buildings.

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Join Somerset’s Social Enterprise Network

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Take part in ACRE’s National Census of Community Buildings

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Funding: The Trusthouse Charitable Foundation

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Meeting space required for therapy sessions across Somerset

If you would like any topics included in future newsletters, please do contact me. Many thanks, Sally Sargent, Community Buildings Officer. (sallys@somersetrcc.org.uk)

TIME TO RENEW YOUR CCS MEMBERSHIP Your annual membership to CCS is due for renewal in April. It is the same price as last year (£100) and offers a wide range of benefits:  

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£700) from the members area of our website.

Up to one hour free CCS officer support, (two hours free in the districts of Sedgemoor or Taunton Deane).

Discounts on a range of services and products.

 Free entry to the national Hallmark award scheme.

Regular newsletters with tailored information, For more information and to download the 2020-21 guidance, details of funds and general ideas for membership form click here. Please note that the running community buildings. deadline for renewals is May 31st.

Free downloads of all the ACRE and CCS information sheets and model documents (worth over

“Catch it, Bin it, Kill it”. Coronavirus and Community Buildings The rapid spread of the Coronavirus (COVID 19) around the world is concerning for us all. As regular meeting places, village halls need to consider both the safeguarding implications for users, as well as the potential impact on income from a loss of bookings. 

Keep up to date with advice from the Government and Public Health England here. NCVO has also issued useful guidance for the voluntary sector here.

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Ensure your hall is kept very clean. Make sure toilets are well stocked with soap and paper towels and that hand dryers are in good working order. Avoid using hand towels.

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Advise hirers to be responsible on booking and display NHS posters such as this one in the hall.

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Contact your insurer to check that you are taking the correct precautions to meet their requirements.

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Plan ahead for a possible loss of income for the hall.

Make contingency plans and consider which costs could be reduced to minimise losses.

Join the ENHANCE Social Enterprise Network in Somerset Community Buildings are fantastic examples of social enterprises, generating profit to create positive social change.

The Smart Communities team at CCS has created the Enhance Social Enterprise Network to help social enterprises in Somerset to flourish — www.enhancesocialenterprise.org.uk Come to one of our events.

These will cover a wide range of topics and give you the opportunity to learn by hearing about the experiences of other social enterprises. Click here for further details and to book a place.

Join the network Membership of the social enterprise network is free until September, as we are funded by ERDF. By joining, you will receive regular updates on training events, visits and networking opportunities across the county.

Membership also brings the opportunity to promote your community building on a dedicated website for the Enterprise Network for Devon and Somerset. This website has a searchable social enterprise business directory – all helping to spread the word about the amazing work that you do. To join the network click here or email EnhanceSEN@Somersetrcc.org.uk for a membership form.

Did you know that CCS is one of 38 member organisations in the ACRE Network across England?

Please do take part in this national survey.

You've got until 31st March and every answer will help ACRE drive positive change for our village and community halls.

Our parent body, ACRE, is responsible for writing the valuable advice sheets and model documents that hall committees use every day. ACRE also works on Click here to take part. a national level to lobby government directly and https://acre.org.uk/our-work/national-village-andsecure financial support for village halls.

Funding spotlight: Trusthouse Charitable Foundation Trusthouse supports capital projects for community buildings in economically deprived urban areas and in isolated, rural communities. Applications are assessed using the index of multiple deprivation.

Halls must be providing a range of activities which promote community cohesion and address local problems such as isolation, poverty, lack of local facilities and transport.

Applications are considered for: new buildings; upgrading, renovating or extending buildings; and improving or creating outside space (not car parks).

Grants of between ÂŁ2000-ÂŁ60 000 are available. You will need to have already secured a minimum of 50% of the project costs before applying.

For more information, click here.

New Hallmark Applications Deadline is 31st March.

Developed by CCS and now a nationally recognised award, Hallmark level 1, 2 and 3 awards recognise good management and practice by the Community Building Management Committee.

Community Buildings with the Hallmark award benefit from insurance discounts and recognition on funding applications as it evidences the high standard of the committee members and the merit of the hall. For more information click here.

Hallmark 1 focuses on the management and administration of the charity.

Hallmark 2 focuses on health, safety, security and licences.

Hallmark 3 focuses on community, social awareness, communications, forward planning and development.

NB.This year we are extending all 2017 renewals for a further 12 months.

Room to Spare? Somerset’s Mental Health Services Need You Most of these services are provided in GP practices where treatment is delivered in one to one sessions.

However, more and more local people are turning to these services for support so we are looking for new places in the community to host these sessions as we expand our capacity across the county.

If you think you can help us by offering a suitable room in your local area with access to Wi-Fi, we would love to hear from you.

Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is responsible for delivering primary care based psychological therapies to local people aged 18 and older.

Please contact: James de Pury, Adult Mental Health Improvement Lead, 01935 384000

Scale it! With the Enhance Social Enterprise Network, Somerset

For more information or to book a place click here.

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