Want to set up a local community group to make a difference in your community?  Juliet Hammond, our Development Officer can help you.  To book an appointment call 020 7241 4443 or email

 

First she will help you to check whether another organisation is doing the sort of work you are interested in.  If there is, it would probably be better for you to join them instead of starting your own group.  Research shows that funders do not like duplication of services within the same geographical area. 

 

If you decide to start your own group, you will need a constitution – a document that sets out what your group aims to achieve – and a management committee.  HVA will help you to create your constitution and advise you on who to recruit to your management committee.

 

There are other factors you will need to consider to set up an organisation. 

 

What do you want to do?

You need to have a specific idea about exactly what the group you are setting up is going to do. Will it offer a service to a community or will it be of benefit solely to its members? What are the aims of this group? What do you want to achieve?

Where do you want to do it?

What area are you going to cover? For example are you going only to cover Levenshulme or are you going to cover the whole of Manchester? Be realistic about this - if you only have the resources to cover a small area don't try and overstretch yourself.

Who do you want to do it with?

If you are providing a service then you may want to identify a specific group of people with whom you are going to work, for example people affected by a specific issue or living in a defined area. Also, if you are going to work with several groups, then you need to think carefully about any possible conflicts of interest.

Do you wish to employ staff?

The legal form you adopt and your constitution (known as your governing document)  may differ if you employ staff or hope to do so in the future.  Many voluntary and community organisations start off being run entirely by volunteers, but as your organisation grows you might want to think about taking on paid staff. This is a big step and can be daunting.  If you already employ staff but need information and advice on employment issues such as: employment contracts, recruitment, policies and procedures, staff sickness, disability, parental leave, minimum wage and salary scales we can help you in a number of ways.  See HVA's training schedule for upcoming courses on any of the above issues. 

 

What the Development Officer will help you with

• Adopting / Creating a governing document or constitution
• Advantages and Disadvantages of different legal structures
• Writing your Business Plan
• Registering as a Charity
• Forming a Company
• Appointing your Management Committee / Trustees
• General Governance Issues and Legal Issues