Members of the Cumbria Village Halls Network got together last week for a free workshop on using websites and social media. The group met in the cosy community room at Dufton Village Hall, using their recently installed broadband. With help from web-designer Phil Guest, the workshop was a whistle-stop tour of what makes a good website and how to make best use of social media for promotion.
The Village Halls Network is a way for committee members and trustees of community buildings across Cumbria to share practical ideas, relevant experience and to ask for help and advice. Members get together periodically, as well as supporting each other remotely.
“This workshop about websites for village halls came from chatter on the Network” says Fran Richardson who facilitates the Network on behalf of ACTion with Communities in Cumbria. “Members were exchanging queries about what worked for them, how to do functional things like take bookings online.”
Feedback for the workshop was unanimously positive and the Network are considering follow up workshops on different topics to help volunteers and trustees to do the best they can for their Village Halls. “This was an excellent workshop!” says Peg Eastwood, a founder member of the Network from Thursby Village Hall. “Representatives from eight halls from Ambleside to Wigton, and points in between, attended. We had a lot of questions and Phil offered lots of good advice and suggestions. We’ve learnt that there are really good reasons to have a website and to develop a social media presence. It’s relatively straightforward and doesn’t have to cost a lot.”
If you are actively involved in running a community building join the Network through Facebook @CumbriaVHN or get in touch with [email protected]. To find out more about how ACT supports Village Halls and see what’s going on during Village Halls Week (20th – 26th January 2020) visit www.cumbriaaction.org.uk.
