Community Action Northumberland | Village Hall Consortia

There is great scope for community buildings to gain significant benefits from working together in networks and consortia. Northumberland now boasts two Community Buildings Consortia, which were established with the support of CAN.

North Northumberland Village Halls Consortium covers the former Alnwick and Berwick areas and West Northumberland Community Buildings Consortium covers the former Tynedale and Castle Morpeth area.

The consortia are dedicated to promoting and improving the performance of Community Buildings in the county and the services that they provide for the benefit of the local communities and visitors. This is achieved through the provision of advice, information, training and support.

Each consortium is managed by a committee made up of individuals from halls within their area. Membership to each consortium is increasing as the benefits become more obvious. Each is used as a forum for discussion, to assist with the identification and management of joint projects, assist with the organisation of bespoke training and joint purchasing/cost-saving ventures – achieving financial savings, on insurance, for example.

The consortia work very closely with CAN, in jointly organising and promoting events and training, dissemination and exchange of information, (particularly important for example, when there are legislation changes) and they also have a lobbying role, often becoming involved in matters on a national scale.

The Consortia promote the Hallmark Scheme managed by CAN and their meetings allow for CAN staff to update and share information on a wide-range of matters pertinent to community buildings management committees.