Project Overview

Carol Foster is the Village Hall Advisor at Humber and Wolds Rural Action (HWRA), where she has been leading a series of engagement sessions to help North Lincolnshire’s community venues prepare for Martyn’s Law - the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025.

With many village halls run entirely by volunteers, Carol’s work focuses not just on legislative awareness but on volunteer development and future planning, ensuring these vital spaces are protected and sustained for years to come.

Her sessions, delivered in village halls across the region, aimed to raise awareness of the upcoming legislation while also exploring how local communities can strengthen their volunteer networks and become more resilient and prepared.

“It’s all about being proactive. We don’t want these communities to be caught off guard. We want them ready, not rushing.” – Carol

Project Highlight: Martyn’s Law Awareness Sessions

At the heart of Carol’s engagement programme were her Martyn’s Law awareness sessions, designed for trustees, church reps, volunteers, and local residents who help keep village halls running.

Martyn’s Law is named after Martyn Hett, one of the victims of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. The tragedy revealed serious gaps in venue safety, particularly the absence of formal risk assessments. The new law, granted royal assent and expected to come into force within two to three years, will require all events with over 200 attendees to have robust risk assessments and safety protocols in place.

Carol’s sessions gave volunteers early insight into these requirements. While formal training is not yet available (as guidance is still in development), her workshops offered vital pre-emptive education, reducing fear and confusion and helping communities start preparing now.

“It’s about painting a picture of what these spaces mean to a community — the value of giving back, of being part of something.” – Carol

Outcomes and Insights

The sessions provided far more than legal updates - they became spaces for reflection, storytelling, and community-building.

• Raising awareness early meant communities were less likely to panic when the law comes into full effect.
• Volunteers felt seen and valued, with many sharing personal stories about why they choose to support their local halls.
• Village halls were reframed not just as buildings, but as hubs of connection and shared responsibility.
• Skill-sharing and dialogue emerged organically, as attendees discussed their own experiences of volunteering and leadership.

The sessions were a chance to reinforce the idea that being involved in a community space isn’t just a duty - it’s a source of belonging, purpose, and local pride.

Challenges and Learnings

While the initiative sparked great conversations, Carol and the HWRA team identified several ongoing challenges:

Volunteer recruitment:  Many current volunteers are older or already involved in the community sector. Reaching younger, working-age volunteers remains difficult.

Perception of roles: Terms like “trustee” can feel intimidating or formal. HWRA is now promoting volunteer opportunities by skills, not titles, making roles feel more accessible.

Employer-Supported Volunteering (ESV): Discussions highlighted the potential for local businesses to encourage volunteering by allowing staff time off to contribute.

Tailored messaging is essential. At one open day, only ten people attended — a reminder that outreach needs to be engaging, clear, and community-specific.

Vision Moving Forward

Carol and HWRA are committed to ensuring village halls are ready for the legal, cultural, and generational shifts ahead. Their goals include:

Continuing early engagement so that volunteers and venue managers are not caught unprepared when Martyn’s Law is fully implemented.

Advocating for formal training once the final guidance is released.

Expanding outreach to build a broader, more diverse network of volunteers.

Embedding long-term support to help communities understand their obligations without becoming overwhelmed.

Carol’s vision is about more than compliance - it’s about sustaining the spirit of these spaces. It’s about ensuring the next generation feels just as connected to their local hall as those who’ve served for decades.

“If we get the support right now, we can make sure these spaces thrive for the next generation.” – Carol