Making Your Hall Pay Its Way

A Community First Yorkshire event

Struggling to cover the costs of running your hall or community building? You’re not alone. The Community Buildings Network is a space to share ideas, challenges and solutions with others who understand the pressures of keeping a venue going.

This session will focus on practical ways to generate income and reduce running costs. You’ll hear what’s working for other halls, explore funding options, and connect with peers who are navigating similar issues. Whether you’re looking for inspiration or just want to talk things through, this is a chance to learn, share and feel supported.

What will you learn?

You’ll leave the session with:

practical ideas for generating income and reducing costs
real-life examples of what’s working for other local halls
tips on grant funding, partnerships and making the most of your space
insights into common challenges and how others are overcoming them
encouragement and inspiration from others who understand the pressures of running a community building
a network of peers to stay in touch with for ongoing support and advice.

Who should attend?: This network meeting is for community building and village hall committee members and trustees across North Yorkshire, providing the opportunity to learn, network and share information, advice, tips and thoughts on all aspects of running a hall.

What's included?: The session includes refreshments, and you will leave with resources and online links to practical tools to help with the cost of running your community building.

About the hosts: Nicky Ruddick has over 20 years’ experience as a funding adviser, securing funding for hundreds of voluntary organisations including village halls, play areas, health and social care groups and youth clubs across North Yorkshire. Nicky volunteers at a number of charities in the Northallerton area.

Hilary Ashton has had a modular career, with the last 7 years at Community First Yorkshire and the previous 10 years as part of the Senior Management Team at a charity in Leeds. Hilary is an experienced trainer and has delivered many sessions on various aspects of trustee governance as well as helping groups with funding and grant applications.

Cost: This meeting is free.

How to get there: You can find Gargrave Village Hall on West Street. If coming into Gargrave from Skipton, turn right when you reach the Swan Pub and follow the round around and you will see the Village Hall on your left-hand side.

If coming into Gargrave from Settle, turn left at the Dalesman Cafe and follow the road around and you will see the Village Hall on your right-hand side.

Parking is available outside the Hall, plus over the road.