INDEPENDENT charity Devon Communities Together has been supporting village halls and other community buildings throughout Devon during the past few months and is now working with these vital rural hubs to help them safely navigate their way out of lockdown as Government guidance begins to make reopening possible.

Village Halls have been closed since the lockdown was imposed and were due to be considered for re-opening when the Government’s plan reaches stage three.

However, on Monday, June 15, the government changed the rules to permit holding indoor markets in community buildings, and it is expected that wider reopening of these important assets will be allowed from July 6.

Therefore, Devon Communities Together is circulating guidance on how to prepare for re-opening, based on the national guidance provided by Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE), the national charity which champions and supports community-led projects and assets in the countryside.

The extensive guide, prepared by ACRE in conjunction with the network of county village hall advisors, helps halls through the regulations and guidance provided by government, local authorities, public health and professional bodies.

Halls are encouraged to contact their user groups to work out how they could return whilst complying with social distancing requirements, good hygiene practices and knowing what to do if a user becomes ill. The guide provides checklists and model documents to help committees get their halls open safely.

Nora Corkery, acting CEO of Devon Communities Together, said: “DCT has provided extensive help to village halls ever since Covid-19 started to have an impact on communities.

"We have provided advice and guidance on a wide range of subjects and guided halls to apply for the Government’s Covid relief funding, through our helpline and our village halls advisor.

"We have extended our service beyond our membership and have tried to reach all of Devon’s village halls and similar community buildings.

“We look forward to the time when halls can re-open and welcome back their users. The requirements are demanding and we are pleased to be able to assist the volunteer committees that run such important community facilities.”

To access specialist support in reopening your village hall or other community building, please contact 01392 248919 or email: [email protected] .