Hallmark is a nationally recognised quality standard scheme for the management of community buildings, including village halls. It’s overseen by organisations like Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE).
There are three levels of Hallmark accreditation that must be achieved in order:
- Hallmark 1 – charity essentials and administration;
- Hallmark 2 – legislation, safety, licensing and maintenance; and
- Hallmark 3 – community and social awareness, communications, forward planning and development.
Hallmark 3 specifically examines the role of the hall in the community, how it interacts with its users, and the wider community. It emphasises community engagement, social awareness, effective communication, forward planning, and development of the hall’s services.
Achieving Hallmark accreditation demonstrates a commitment to good practice and can help raise the standards of management for the community building. It can also provide confidence to trustees, users, and funders, and may even lead to financial benefits, such as insurance discounts.
Newbald Village Hall is proud to announce that it achieved Hallmark 3 accreditation in January 2025.