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Setting up and developing your group

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Our local, experienced development workers offer guidance and support from the initial stages of setting up your group to improving and strengthening what you do. 

They will help you to develop your ideas and make them real by aiding your understanding of how it all works, as well as put you in touch with existing groups in your area.  They will support you to take the first steps and to strengthen and grow.

Whatever stage you are at, you can arrange an initial discussion (telephone or face-to-face) to access general advice or to look at where you might need further support.  They'll help you to reach your full potential, or signpost you to someone who can.  If you are just starting out, you'll need at least two other people who are committed to your group, a good idea, and some thought on how it might work.

The organisational support that is offered through your local CVS or equivalent, includes:

  • Starting up 
  • Governance and legal structures
  • How to gain charitable status (including how to write a constitution)
  • How to set up a bank account
  • Budgeting and financial management
  • Board or trustee responsibilities
  • Writing a business plan - to set your long term aims and to achieve what you set out to do
  • An organisation health check
  • Policies and procedures, such as safeguarding, child protection or environmental
  • Human resources - how to recruit, manage and develop your staff and trustees
  • Risk and insurance
  • Health and safety
  • Monitoring and evalution - measuring the impact and outcomes of your work

 
Link to your local C V S or equivalent

 Please also take a look at our set of online factsheets