Do you want to make a difference in your local community?
Whether you want to start a neighbourhood group, organise a fun day, set up a community allotment or hold a mini arts festival, this simple guidance will explain how to set up a voluntary organisation and make a start. There are a few rules you need to be aware of but it doesn’t have to be difficult and we are here to help you all the way.
The information listed will provide the essential things you need to know and actions to take for your organisation to get off the ground.
If it’s a neighbourhood group you are planning, you might like to take a look at the Reading Neighbourhood Network website to see what like-minded people are up to.
All the information provided here is for guidance purposes only – please seek specialist advice if you have a particular issue to resolve. Contact RVA on 0118 937 2273 or email advice@rva.org.uk.
- Accounting Records and Reporting to the Charities Commission
Unsure whether you need to prepare accounts, what form this should take and whether you have to file them with the Charities Commission? What about Annual Returns and Trustee’s Reports? This simplfied factsheet is an introduction to reporting and provides a checklist for all organisations including community associations, CIOs and charitable companies.
- AGM guide
Are you unsure about how to hold an AGM? This short guide takes you through the process step by step.
- Charity Set-Up Tool from the Small Charities Coalition
A free digital tool from the Small Charities Coalition to help people set up small charities and register with the Charity Commission.
- Committee Minutes
Courtesy of “Community Matters’, this information sheet sets out some guidelines on minutes of meetings; setting out what they should contain and dealing with some commonly used terms.
- Constitution – template for a CIO Association charity structure
This is a template model constitution from the Charity Commission that you can use if you are setting up a charity as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and you have what’s called ‘wider membership’ (i.e. members other than your Trustees). This is known as a CIO Association model. If you are unsure if this constitution is for you, get in touch with RVA on advice@rva.org.uk
- Constitution – template for a CIO Foundation charity structure
This is a template model constitution from the Charity Commission that you can use if you are setting up a charity as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and your only members are your Trustees. This is known as a CIO Foundation model. If you are unsure if this constitution is for you, get in touch with RVA on advice@rva.org.uk
- Constitution – template for a Small Charity or Community Group
A model template constitution that you can use if you are setting up a fairly small charity, where you are not employing any staff, such as a community group or lunch club. A constitution is your rulebook and you will need one to effectively manage your group and to give to funders and the bank. For more advice, get in touch with RVA on advice@rva.org.uk
- Constitution – template for a Small Charity or Community Group – Word Version
A Word Version of the model constitution that you can use if you are setting up a fairly small charity, where you are not employing any staff, such as a community group or lunch club. A constitution is your rulebook and you will need one to effectively manage your group and to give to funders and the bank. For more advice, get in touch with RVA on advice@rva.org.uk
- Financial Rules for community groups
This specimen document sets out an example of the financial rules that should be adopted by an organisation. It is in MS Word format and access is courtesy of ‘Community Matters’.
- Fireworks Legislation
Courtesy of ‘Community Matters’, this document outlines the laws and licensing issues surrounding the use of fireworks.
- Food safety and food hygiene guide
Courtesy of ‘Community Matters’, this technical guidance note explains the Food Safety Act and Food Hygiene Regulations and will help community organisations to produce safe food and to meet their other responsibilities.
- Insurance – What type does your group need?
All groups need to have insurance that covers their activities. What you need will depend on what you do and who is involved. This factsheet from Community Matters provdes useful guidance.
- Insurance, DBS and music licences – Are you legal?
Organising community events and activities is great fun but it can also cause worry if organisers are unsure what their responsibilities are and how to keep everyone safe.This handout provides some answers to issues around protecting children or vulnerable adults and acquiring insurance and licences.
- Start up guide for new neighbourhood groups
Whether you want to organise a fun day, set up a community allotment or hold a mini arts festival this simple guide will explain how to set up a neighbourhood group and make a start.
- Street Fairs and Licences
Street fairs and stalls are a great way of raising awareness about your voluntary or community group, as well as raising a bit of much needed extra cash. This guide aims to help you to do this legally and will look at how to apply for the correct licences in advance.