Vibrant Villages
Change is happening at a rapid pace, and rural communities will be impacted by both the Local Government Review which means more responsibility at local levels, and central government shift towards more neighbourhood-based services. There are opportunities and challenges ahead.
Our Vibrant Villages initiative, supported by £250,000 across three years from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, aims to help people be equipped to respond to these. This project aims to help rural communities to influence and shape the services and decisions that affect their lives. Our focus is on supporting Village Halls and other community buildings to build on or develop their strengths as thriving rural community hubs and to remain resilient and relevant to modern rural life.
What are we doing?
At the heart of the project are the team of three Rural Community Connectors and Project Manager, who are working across the whole of Devon. We work alongside our Community Buildings team to support Village Halls through Cluster Meetings, where committee members can come together to learn from each other. We are connecting with organisations like health, social services and local government, making useful links that can pave the way for rural communities to understand what services, projects or other activities might work in their community and how we work together in partnership.
Vibrant Village is here to work collaboratively with those village halls who want to look at how services and decision making are now changing. Using the data from the Village Halls audit in 2024, we can collectively influence and co-design local services to meet community needs.
Vibrant Villages can offer support in listening to diverse voices, including those who might not usually be heard, and developing ways to extend who gets involved in Village Hall activities. We can find or offer training, support and mentoring, or buddy people up with others who’ve done things before.
By collaborating with Village Halls to act as inclusive places for connection, local services and decision-making, Vibrant Villages aims to help communities move from ideas to action.
How can we work with you?
You can connect directly with us using the contacts below if you have questions or seeking support to help your community.
Why is this important now?
Village Halls have been playing a vital role in rural areas for many years, as trusted places where people meet, access activities and connect with services. The potential to expand on their position as community hubs for modern rural life was identified by Devon Communities Together when we collaborated with 360 of Devon’s halls during the Village Halls Audit back in 2024. We took time listen to the experiences and ambitions of the managing committees and now have that information to be used by communities as a base for Halls and rural communities to influence changes
Meet our team!
Project Manager, Jenny Archard - jenny.archard@devoncommunities.org.uk
Rural Community Connector, North Devon and Torridge, Claire Hickson - claire.hickson@devoncommunities.org.uk
Rural Community Connector, South and West Devon, Cluna Donnelly - cluna.donnelly@devoncommunities.org.uk
Rural Community Connector, East Devon, Anna Squire - anna.squire@devoncommunities.org.uk
