Community Spaces Network

Welcome to the Community Spaces Network page. This is your one-stop hub for resources that can help your village hall or community space access real, practical support. The Community Spaces Network is run in partnership by Scottish Rural Action and Social Enterprise Scotland.The aim of the network is to share best practice and encourage learning, mainly through peer-led events and campaigns.

If you need help finding specific support for your village hall, please contact Nikki for a friendly chat. Email nikki@sra.scot.

Connected Hubs – Community Spaces as Vibrant Workspaces Event

Community Spaces, Brighter Futures: Community-Led Solutions to Child Poverty & Childcare

Wednesday, 9 September | 12:00 – 13:30

Online

Communities across Scotland are developing innovative, place-based solutions to support children and families in areas where access to childcare and family services can be limited. This session will explore how village halls, community hubs and other local spaces can become trusted centres for affordable childcare and family support, helping parents access employment while strengthening community resilience, particularly in rural and low-population areas.

Drawing on innovative examples such as the ‘Work and Play Club’, we'll learn how community ownership, strong local partnerships and the flexible use of shared spaces can challenge traditional approaches and overcome barriers to access. We will also learn about pilot projects adopting the Single Care Model, where adult and childcare are brought together to create intergenerational opportunities, reduce social isolation, and deliver wider benefits for individuals, families and communities.

Speakers:

Jaci Douglas - Chief Executive, Care and Learning Alliance (CALA)
Louise White – Development Officer, Urram
Other speaker TBC

This session will get us to think differently about what’s possible in our own communities; as always there will be an opportunity for questions, discussion, and sharing of ideas and experiences!

This event is part of the #communityspacesnetwork, run by Scottish Rural Action and Social Enterprise Scotland - supporting village halls and community hubs to connect, share and learn.

Join us for Village Halls Week 2026

#VillageHallsWeek2026 will highlight the importance of village halls to the health and wellbeing of rural communities across England, Wales and Scotland.

To support village halls in Scotland, we are delighted to launch a new one-page resource listing free support services tailored specifically for village halls.

Village Halls Week - Resources for Village Halls