Links

CAPACITY BUILDING

ChangeUp:
www.changeup.org.uk
ChangeUp is a programme of capacity building for the infrastructure of the voluntary and community sector, developed in partnership with the sector. The aim of ChangeUp investment is to catalyse the modernisation of infrastructure provision in order to improve its sustainability, quality and reach. There are six Hubs established under ChangeUp for key areas of VCS expertise – Governance, Performance, Finance, ICT, Volunteering and Workforce Development.

CHILD PROTECTION ADVICE FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS

www.nspcc.org.uk/helpandadvice/communitygroups/
communitygroups_wda36495.html

DONATING

CharityBank:
http://www.charitybank.org
Charity Bank is a charity where people can deposit money to be used solely for charity and social enterprise - lending, not giving.  It is also a not-for-profit bank whose sole business is providing affordable finance for charitable work.

The Giving Campaign:
http://www.givingcampaign.org.uk
Established to increase the amount of money given to UK charities; and, in the long term, to encourage a culture of giving where it is thought natural for everyone able to do so to give money and time to improve the quality of life for others.

EQUALITY ISSUES

Commission for Racial Equality (CRE):
http://www.cre.gov.uk/index.htm
Publicly funded body which tackles racial discrimination and promotes racial equality.l

Disability Rights Commission:
http://www.drc-gb.org
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) is an independent body, established by Act of Parliament to eliminate discrimination against disabled people and promote equality of opportunity.

Equal Opportunities Commission:
Relevant legislation and information about sex discrimination and inequality related to gender, including good practice in the fair and qual treatment of women and men.
www.eoc.org.uk

Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006:
Information about regulations affecting age discrimination
in the workplace. Several factsheets available.
www.dti.gov.uk/employment/discrimination/
age-discrimination/age-legislation/page29258.html

FUNDRAISING

Finance Hub:
www.financehub.org.uk
Provides an introductory pack for funding advisers working with new and small to medium-sized voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises. Each of the six guides contain practical information on a specific area of funding.

Internet fund-raising sites:

http://www.efundrasing.com

www.fundraising.co.uk

FUNDING (see also our funding section for LDCVS information & support)

Social Enterprise Lancashire Network (SELNET):
A network of third sector firms who generate income from trading. SELNET has a third sector procurement officer who will give information and advice on tendering and bidding for local authority contracts.
www.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/lcdl

Big Lottery Fund:
http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Big Lottery Fund is responsible for giving out half the money for good causes raised by the National Lottery, giving us a budget of about £630 million a year. This site outlines all the grants available.

Heritage Lottery Fund:
www.hlf.org.uk
The Heritage Lottery Fund enables communities to celebrate, look after and learn more about our diverse heritage. From our great museums and historic buildings, to local parks and beauty spots or recording and celebrating traditions, customs and history, this site includes application criteria and further useful information.

Arts Council:
http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/gfta2006.php
Lottery funded programme –Grants for the Arts are for individuals, arts organisations and other people who use the arts in their work. They are for activities that benefit people in England or that help artists and arts organisations from England to carry out their work. The website includes application forms and further criteria information.

Sport Relief:
www.cheshirecc.org.uk
Part of the Comic relief programme to promote sport in disadvantaged communities – administered locally by Cheshire Community Council

CharityBank:
http://www.charitybank.org
Charity Bank is a charity where people can deposit money to be used solely for charity and social enterprise - lending, not giving. It is also a not-for-profit bank whose sole business is providing affordable finance for charitable work.

Trust funding:
www.trustfunding.org.uk
Contains up-to-date comprehensive coverage of all the grant-making trusts included in all DSC or CAF directories. Available by subscription, visit the home page for a demonstration.

GOVERNMENT INFORMATION

The Office of the Third Sector:
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/third_sector/about_us/index.asp
The OTS has been set up to drive forward the Government's role in supporting a thriving third sector, and brings together sector–related work from across government.

Active Communities Unit:
www.communities.homeoffice.gov.uk
Responsible for the government’s work around strengthening the voluntary and community sector and supporting greater participation in society through volunteering.

Her Majesty’s Stationery Office (HMSO):
http://www.hmso.gov.uk
Help with access to and re-use of government information, including Crown Copyright material and parliamentary legislation.

info4local:
http://www.info4local.gov.uk
info4local is a government portal that gives local authorities a quick and easy way to find and link to relevant information on the web sites of central government departments, agencies and public bodies.

INFORMATION & COMPUTING TECNOLOGY

Information and Computing Technology Hub:
www.icthub.org.uk

LEGAL

Charities Act 2006: A Guide to the New Law:
Published by The Law Society, this guide will keep charities up to date with changes in the law and help to understand their implications. The guide costs £39.95 plus £3.50 p&p from Marston Book Services, tel: 01235 465 656, fax: 01235 465 660.
e-mail: law.society@marston.co.uk

Charity Commission:
For information about legislation and legal responsibilities affecting charities.
www.charity-commission.gov.uk

Criminal Records Bureau (CRB):
The CRB may help organisations to identify people who are unsuitable to work
with children and/or vulnerable adults. Through its Disclosure Service it is able
to check police, Department of Health and Department of Education records on
behalf of organisations vetting their paid staff or volunteers.
www.crb.gov.uk

Charities Act 1992:
http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts
/acts1992/Ukpga_19920041_en_1.htm

Charities Act 1993:
http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts
/acts1993/Ukpga_19930010_en_1.htm

Charity Law Association:
http://www.charitylawassociation.org.uk
The Charity Law Association is established with the aim of enabling those who advise on or use charity law to meet together, to exchange ideas and intelligence and to use their experience and expertise for the benefit of the charity sector.

In-House Charity Lawyers Group:
http://www.cigroup.org.uk/charity.asp
The In-House Charity Lawyers Group is run by and for in-house lawyers in charities, enabling its members to meet together, network and exchange ideas, experiences and resources/best practice.

Sandy Adirondack:
Legal updates for voluntary organisations. Available updates can be received
by e-mail.
www.sandy-a.co.uk/legal.htm

The Law Society:
Information on all areas of the law including relevant legal matters for voluntary
and community groups.
www.lawsociety.org.uk/areasoflaw.law

Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS):
Information on equality and diversity in the workplace, employment law and
work related legal matters.
www.acas.org.uk

The Health and Safety Commission:
Information about Health and Safety legislation. Practical advice and information
about health and safety in the workplace.
www.hse.gov.uk

Voluntary Arts Network:
Legal issues involved in setting up and running a voluntary arts group.
www.voluntaryarts.org

MANAGING PAID STAFF

Workforcehub:
www.ukworkforcehub.org.uk

“The Good Employment Guide”:
Provides a number of Good Employment Guide Fact Sheets. Published by the NCVS and available at: publicationsorders@ncvs-vol.org.uk. Tel: 0845 458 9911. Price £25.

MANAGING VOLUNTEERS

www.volunteering.org.uk
Provides a wide range of resources for managing volunteers including examples of model documents in their “good practice bank”.

When a Volunteer Visits: Minimising Risk to Vulnerable People:
Guidelines for voluntary organisations whose volunteers go into people’s homes. Available free from Lancaster CVS, e-mail: rosegarvey@lancastercvs.org.uk

MISCELLANEOUS

Common Purpose:
www.commonpurpose.org.uk
Helps people from all sectors of society in leadership and decision-making positions to be more effective: in their own organizations, in the community and in society as a whole.

QUALITY

Performance Hub:
www.performancehub.org.uk

Charities Evaluation Service:
www.ces-vol.org.uk
A national organisation offering information, advice, training and consultancy for the voluntary and community sector on “quality” and evaluation services – plus links to other ” quality” websites.

REGULATORS

Companies House:
http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk
Information about companies

Charity Commission:
www.charitycommission.gov.uk
Established by law as the regulator and registrar for charities in England and Wales.  They have a good range of free publications offering information and support the VCS.

HM Revenue and Customs:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities
Includes guidance on taxation for charities, and donors, and deals with questions about charities & VAT, with links to useful related publications.

Housing Corporation:
http://www.housingcorp.gov.uk
Regulates and funds housing associations in England.

Land Registry:
http://www.landreg.gov.uk/assets/library/documents/lrpg014.pdf
Practice advice from the Land Registry on land transactions.

Regulator of Community Interest Companies ("CICs"):
http://www.cicregulator.gov.uk
Provides information, advice and regulation for this type of company which is designed specifically for those wishing to operate for the benefit of the community rather than for the benefit of the owners of the company.

RURAL

Countryside Agency:
www.countryside.gov.uk
The statutory body for acting as a rural advocate, advisor and watchdog with a particular focus on disadvantage.

A.C.R.E (Action with Communities in Rural England):
http://www.acre.org.uk
Supports sustainable rural community development and includes information for village halls and links to Rural Community Councils. Action with Rural Communities in England provides a wide range of research, publications and briefing relating to rural issues as well as a comprehensive bank of information sheets on every thing you need to know to run a village hall from asbestos to flooring to employing staff.

SUPPORT FOR CHARITIES

Business in the Community:
www.bitc.org.uk

CEDR (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution):
http://www.cedr.co.uk
CEDR (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution) and the NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations) run a joint scheme which is funded by the Home Office to raise awareness of mediation, through training events, seminars, etc. and also offers a discounted mediation service for charities.

Charity Skills:
http://www.charityskills.org
Provides voluntary organisations in England and Wales with business support, Internet services and training.

Employee Volunteering:
http://www.employeevolunteering.org.uk
Promotes volunteering by providing support for employers, employees and charities.

ProHelp:
www.prohelp.org.uk
A national network of professional firms who give their time and expertise for free to community groups and voluntary organizations. ProHelp in the North West is targeted at voluntary groups and social enterprises within areas of disadvantage.

Professionals4Free:
http://www.professionals4free.org.uk
Helps with finding free professional services.

REACH:
www.volwork.org.uk
Finds placements for retired people with professional expertise as volunteers  

TRUSTEES SUPPORT

www.governancehub.org.uk
This website provides information for Chairs, trustees, board functions & responsibilities, diversity & inclusion and strategic roles.

Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA):
http://www.icsa.org.uk
Support to charity administrators through training and qualifications, publications, trustee recruitment and a forum for members and non-members.
ICSA's website also contains a series of guidance notes and model documents for charity trustees and administrators at http://www.icsa.org.uk/news/guidance.php

UMBRELLA ORGANISATIONS FOR THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR

Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations (ACEVO):
www.acevo.org.uk
ACEVO is the membership body for chief executives of voluntary sector organisations. ACEVO works to connect, develop and represent the sector's leaders.

Association of Charity Shops:
http://www.charityshops.org.uk
The Association of Charity Shops is the only member organisation dedicated to supporting charities who run shops as part of their fundraising activities. By pooling expertise and joining forces to promote common interests, the Association helps members to operate their shops as effectively as possible. Members range from the largest national charities to locally based hospices.

Charity Finance Directors’ Group (CFDG):
www.cfdg.org.uk
The membership organisation for those working in charities with responsibility for financial management.

Charity Logistics:
http://www.charitylogistics.org
Provides help to charities with logistics / facilities issues with the aim of helping charities to save money when buying IT equipment, office space and parcel distribution.

CharityNet (Charities Aid Foundation - CAF):
http://www.charitynet.org
Provides links to a wide range of organisations providing support for the charity sector.

Charity Resource Network:
http://www.thecrn.org.uk
Online information service of the Charity Finance Directors Group to support charity managers. Provided for members to give access to a range of practical documents, guidance and links to related sites. The site provides a useful guide to online information and helpsheets from a range of specialist bodies and organisations.

Community Matters:
The national federation for community organisations.
www.communitymatters.org.uk

Development Trust Association:
www.dta.org.uk
An organisation which promotes and supports the development of community owned and led trusts for local economic, environmental and social regeneration.

Directory of Social Change:
www.dsc.org.uk
DSC is an independent source of information and support to the voluntary sector, which provides practical training courses, conferences, seminars and briefings researches and publishes reference guides, handbooks, journals and CD-ROMs.
It also provides comprehensive database of grantmaking trusts at www.trustfunding.org.uk


Institute of Fundraising:
http://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk
The professional body representing and supporting fundraisers.

National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA):
NAVCA promotes the voluntary and community sector at a national level and provides information, advice, networking and learning opportunities to its members.
www.navca.org.uk

National Council for Voluntary Child Care Organisations (NCVCCO):
http://www.ncvcco.org
Umbrella group representing child care charities. Provides publications, briefings and consultations to members on child care and family issues and represents members’ views, to central, regional and local government.

National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO):
www.ncvo-vol.org.uk
A national umbrella body for voluntary and community organisations which offers news and information on policy and developments as well as statistics and links.

VolResource:
Information and resources for voluntary and community groups.
www.volresource.org.uk