Answer

As a village hall you may already be registered as a charity. If your revenue exceeds £5000 annum, there would be advantages in this (see Setting up as a Charity in the archives). However there is no similar legal status called "social enterprise" - it is more of an approach (see Social Enterprise in the archive). We are all aware of the many changes and trends affecting our rural communities, one of the outcomes of these trends is that communities are increasingly taking the initiative in controlling the facilities, services and businesses that affect the quality of life in their own local area. Typically they provide much needed services and opportunities for their local community, often stepping in where the private sector has failed to deliver and the public sector cannot reach. I expect that you need support to develop your community building into a more sustainable asset. The sort of activities that might reinforce this and create revenue are: -room rental to local community and businesses -Community run shops, post offices in the Hall (co-location) -Recycling & reuse centres -Training schemes (eg, IT training) - Employment workspace - Childcare facilities (afterschool clubs and Early Years) - Fitness Clubs and Healthy Living centres As you can see from the list above, there is no one form or function that social enterprise takes. Itis better described as a particular approach and ethos for getting things done. Certain principles define this approach and all community enterprise activity will have these characteristics in common: 1. They are primarily driven by a social purpose or purposes. 2. They strive to be financially self-sustaining by, at least in part, engaging in trade of goods and services. 3. Any financial surplus generated is reinvested in the enterprise or for community benefit rather than being distributed as private profit to individuals. 4. Assets and wealth are held in trust for community benefit. 5. They are community owned and democratically involve members of their constituency in the governance of the organisation. These guiding principles are compatible with being a village hall and a way of village halls developing a "trading arm" depending on their local opportunities and the bridges they can build with their local community. See the attached guide for sustainable development of a village hall (attached PDF).