RCAN - Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire

10/06/2026

Following on from our recent post about Martyn's Law - here's what village halls and community groups should be doing RIGHT NOW.

The legislation doesn't come into force until 2027, but getting ahead of it means less stress later. Here are some practical steps:

1️⃣ Visit ProtectUK -the Home Office's dedicated Martyn's Law resource hub. It includes the full statutory guidance and illustrative examples to help you understand whether your premises or events fall within scope.

2️⃣ Check if you're in scope - the guidance covers qualifying premises and qualifying events based on the expected number of individuals present.

3️⃣ Have your say - the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is consulting on its guidance until 12 June 2026. This is your chance to share feedback that affects how the law is regulated.

4️⃣ Contact RCAN - we're working with our members and the wider ACRE Network to provide tailored advice for village halls and community buildings. Get in touch if you have questions.

08/06/2026

THE DOORS ARE NOW OPEN
Do you run a rural business? This one's for you. 👇
For too long, rural business owners have been expected to figure it all out alone. Working from villages, market towns and rural communities can mean fewer networking opportunities, less access to business support, limited local connections and that feeling that everyone else has a team behind them while you're doing it all yourself.
That's why we have launched RCAN – Supporting Rural Business and we've just opened the doors to a brand-new FREE Facebook community for rural business owners across the East Midlands -
a place to:

✅ Connect with other rural business owners
✅ Share challenges and ideas
✅ Access marketing tips and business support
✅ Hear from experts in social media, funding and PR
✅ Be part of a community that gets the realities of running a rural business.

And this is just the beginning! 🚀 Founding members will help shape something special from the ground up, with exciting plans already in the works for expert training, networking, business promotion and much more.
So whether you're a rural retailer, farm diversification business, café, tourism provider, service business, maker, creator or entrepreneur in a rural community - come and join us. Be one of the founding members. Be part of something new and growing. 💚
👉 Join the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rcanruralbusinesssupport
Tag a rural business owner who needs to see this! 🏡

🚪 THE DOORS ARE NOW OPEN 🚪

If you run a rural business, this is for you.

For too long, rural business owners have been expected to figure everything out alone.

Working from villages, market towns and rural communities often means:
🌾 Fewer networking opportunities
🌾 Less access to business support
🌾 Limited local connections
🌾 Feeling like everyone else has a team behind them while you're doing everything yourself

We're changing that.

Today we're opening the doors to a brand-new FREE Facebook community for rural business owners across the East Midlands.

A place where you can:
✅ Connect with other rural business owners
✅ Share challenges and ideas
✅ Access marketing tips and business support
✅ Hear from experts in areas like social media, funding and PR
✅ Be part of a supportive community that understands the realities of running a business in a rural area

And this is just the beginning.

The members who join us now will be helping to shape something special from the ground up, with exciting plans already in development for expert training, networking opportunities, business promotion and much more.

So if you're a rural retailer, farm diversification business, café, tourism provider, service business, maker, creator or entrepreneur based in a rural community...

Come and join us.

Be one of the founding members of our community.

Be part of something new.

Be part of something growing.

🌱 Join the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rcanruralbusinesssupport

Tag a rural business owner who needs to see this 👇

05/06/2026

As part of our series for , we'd like to introduce you to Malcolm whose volunteering story spans a lifetime. 💚

From working backstage in amateur dramatics to printing church orders of service on a Gestetner Duplicator, doing door-to-door collections and supporting his local Scout Group - Malcolm has always found a way to give back.

When he moved back to the Newark area, he got involved with the Scouts again before the time came to take on a new challenge: volunteering at Coddington Community Centre. He's also a dedicated volunteer in the sport of Outdoor Bowls, and on top of all of that, he produces his village's own news magazine. 📰

We asked Malcolm what he enjoys most about volunteering, and his answer says it all:

"I do enjoy helping people to succeed, learn and enjoy themselves. The work I do for Coddington Community Centre Association provides a safe space for people of all ages to come together. We have groups from Caterpillar Music, where babies socialise through music and singing, right through to the U3A, which brings together people who are no longer in work. In Bowls, I help people new to the sport develop their skills and enjoy the game."

And his advice to anyone thinking about volunteering?
"Volunteering is rewarding. You give the time you can afford to give and will fall into the right role for you. The satisfaction of seeing a group of people who are well into retirement come together and enjoy an afternoon of Short Mat Bowls in the space that I help to keep up to standard is so rewarding."

Thank you, Malcolm, for a lifetime of giving your time, energy and care to the people around you. You are exactly the kind of person that makes communities what they are. 👏

Do you know a volunteer like Malcolm who deserves a shoutout? Tag them in the comments below! 👇

04/06/2026

This Volunteers' Week, we want to shine a light on some truly extraordinary people. 💡
Community halls don't run themselves. Behind every thriving village or community hall is a group of dedicated volunteers giving their time, skills and energy to keep the doors open, the lights on and the community connected.

At Ollerton Jubilee Hall, the current trustees have collectively given more than 125 years of service to their hall. Let that sink in for a moment.

👏 John Richards has been on the committee for around 45 years.
👏 John Reddington has dedicated approximately 40 years to the hall and his wider community.
👏 Sandra has been a committee member for around 30 years and has served as Booking Secretary for 28 of those.
👏 Wendy has been volunteering since the age of 11 - starting with St John Ambulance and going on to serve in leadership and community roles ever since. She's been the hall's Treasurer for more than 10 years.
👏 Russell joined as Secretary just three months ago and is already making his mark as the newest member of the team.

Together, they prove that volunteering isn't about having loads of spare time or specialist skills,it's simply about caring enough to show up.

Whether you can give a few hours a month or commit to something longer term, your contribution would mean the world to a community hall near you.

RCAN would like to say a huge thank you to the trustees of Ollerton Jubilee Hall, and to every volunteer helping to keep community halls across Nottinghamshire thriving. 💚

Thinking about getting involved? Now could be the perfect time to take that first step. Community halls are always looking for fresh faces, new ideas and willing hands, and you could help shape the future of a place that really matters to local people.

03/06/2026

🎉 It's Volunteers' Week

This week, we're celebrating the incredible volunteers who keep Nottinghamshire's village halls, community buildings and rural organisations running, and there are thousands of you.

Whether you're a trustee who's been volunteering for 30 years, a committee member who gave up a Saturday to fix the roof, or someone who joined the team just this year - YOU make a difference. Every single week.

🙌 Got someone in mind who truly goes above and beyond? Tag them in the comments, let's give them the recognition they deserve!

Did you know that England has around 10,000 village halls, almost all run entirely by volunteers? They host millions of events, provide space for community groups and quietly hold the social fabric of rural life together.

RCAN exists to support the people who do this vital work. Our membership gives committees, organisations and councils access to expert advice, funding guidance and a network of people who understand exactly what you're dealing with.

Volunteers' Week

29/05/2026

⏰ Just a reminder - have you booked your place at our June Cluster Network Meetings yet?

Our sessions are coming up soon and we don't want you to miss out! This month we'll be focusing on grant readiness and bid writing - practical, useful content for anyone running a community hall.

🗓️ Remaining dates:

📍 Bassetlaw — Tuesday 9th June, 10:00–12:00
Laneham Memorial Hall, Retford DN22 0NG

📍 Newark & Sherwood and Gedling — Wednesday 10th June, 10:00–12:00
Ollerton Jubilee Hall, Newark NG22 9AP

📍 Rushcliffe — Wednesday 17th June, 14:00–16:00 (afternoon session)
Upper Saxondale Community Hall, Nottingham NG12 2NS

📍 Ashfield & Broxtowe — Thursday 18th June, 10:00–12:00
Chilwell Memorial Institute, Beeston, Nottingham NG9 4AT

Come along to whichever session suits you, refreshments are on us! ☕

👉 Book your free place now: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/akCLyUf6w5

Not yet a member of RCAN? Join today and make the most of everything we offer: https://www.rcan.org.uk/Join-Our-Membership/

Please do share this with any neighbouring halls who might benefit, all are welcome! 🏠

26/05/2026

💰 FUNDING ALERT | Severn Trent Community Fund: Core Funding

Applications open Monday 1st June – Tuesday 30th June 2026 (closing at 11:59pm)

Eligible not-for-profit organisations can apply for a restricted grant of £5,000–£20,000 to support core costs for one year. Around 25 organisations across the Severn Trent region will be funded in this round.

This funding is aimed at groups delivering essential services to local communities - especially those supporting the most vulnerable.

✅ To be eligible your organisation must:
• Be a not-for-profit with a governing document
• Have a bank account in the organisation's name with dual authorisation
• Be based within the Severn Trent region
• Deliver vital services that improve community wellbeing
• Have been operating for at least 3 full years
• Have a gross annual income of £250,000 or less (averaged over 3 years)
• Be struggling financially to maintain current activities
• Have less than 12 months of unrestricted reserves
• Not have significant or unmanageable debt

The types of organisations likely to be given support will be emergency relief services (e.g. foodbanks), health and medical support, housing and homelessness, support for vulnerable populations, and employment/income assistance.

⚠️ Demand is expected to be high, so if you think you might be eligible, don't wait!

👉 Full details and how to apply: stwater.co.uk/corefunding

22/05/2026

⚠️ Have you heard about Martyn’s Law?

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 – known as Martyn’s Law – received Royal Assent in April 2025 and is expected to come into force in 2027 following an implementation period.

We'll be sharing more details on what this means for village halls and community spaces shortly - follow our page so you don't miss it.ises and attendance levels. Here’s what you need to know right now:

✅ There is currently no requirement to comply until the legislation comes into force in 2027 – but now is a good opportunity to start understanding the requirements and reviewing your current arrangements.

✅ The law introduces requirements for certain premises and events to consider procedures and preparedness measures to help protect people in the event of a terrorist attack.

✅ The Home Office has published guidance to help organisations understand what may be required, with an emphasis on taking a proportionate and practical approach rather than assuming specialist services are needed.

✅ The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has been appointed as the regulator and is currently consulting on its guidance, with feedback welcomed until 12 June 2026.

👉 Find the full guidance on GOV.UK or visit ProtectUK for Martyn's Law resources.

We'll be sharing more detail on what this means for village halls and community spaces shortly - follow our page so you don't miss it.

19/05/2026

🌿 Exciting news for our rural business community!

We know that running a business in a rural area comes with its own unique challenges and its own unique strengths. That's why we've launched the RCAN - Supporting Rural Business, a dedicated space for rural business owners to find resources, advice, funding information, and connect with others who truly get it.

Whether you're a sole trader, a family-run farm shop, or a growing rural enterprise - this page is for you.

📌 Follow the page to stay up to date with support, opportunities, and a community that's got your back.

👉 Know a rural business owner? Tag them below or share this post - let's make sure no one misses out.

Link in the comments ↓

13/05/2026

For the next couple of days our team heads to Staffordshire for the country's largest gathering of village hall advisers!

The annual Action with Communities in Rural England - ACRE Village Hall Advisers Conference brings together around 30 specialists from across England for two days of training, knowledge-sharing and networking - all with one goal: making sure the people who rely on village halls get the very best support.

We're proud to be part of the ACRE Network, the only national body dedicated to rural communities and England's 10,000 village halls.

We'll be sharing updates from the conference over the next couple of days - watch this space! 👀