This section details ideas and ways to create vital villages, with examples from projects Vital Villages has already helped

Inspirations:

Welland Mini Library
This exciting project is being implemented in partnership with Worcestershire Library Services (WLS). 35 parishes had expressed interest in taking part in the pilot from which two were selected.

Welland is the first pilot project to run. 800-1500 books have been placed in the village hall foyer and the community are managing the project. Books can be returned to the hall, any library or the local village shop/PO.

Members from village hall user groups will also be librarian trained so club members can use the library when they are using the hall.

Shilton Village Hall
An application to develop three new projects based in the hall; mobile shopping, computer facility and a coffee shop. The group decided on a phased approach giving an opportunity to look more closely at some of the costings of the projects, particularly the running costs and food hygeine implications of the proposed vehicle and the rationale behind installing laptops as opposed to desktop PCs.

Haselor School
The school is one of 5 primary schools in Warwickshire without a hall. The County has made available approximately 50% of total project costs for a hall, new toilet block (including facilities for the disabled), changing rooms and covered play area. The school is owned by the governors and not by the LEA/DFEE, which means that the education authority will have no say in what alterations can be carried out on the building.

The school, which has charitable status, will raise the rest of the money along with community fundraising activities and small grants from elsewhere. Their letting policy is a non-profit making basis to cover costs e.g. heat, lighting, caretaker etc. The school will deal with bookings and a school/community group will manage the hall.

There is no shop or any other community building in the village. A Vital Villages grant was agreed for this project.

Elmley Castle
This is a project is to provide digital projection equipment to allow the community and other groups to benefit from training, education and seminars through "Local Networks". Through the local colleges, they wish to expand the provision for courses in a neighbourhood setting. The hall is totally profitable and the new facilities have encouraged its use by commercial groups as well as local clubs and organisations. It provides a service to 700 residents and there is no other facility of its kind in the area.

Worcestershire Management Centre
The Centre is organising startup courses in rural areas for people thinking of starting up their own business. These courses are aimed mainly at women returnees, and over 50s.