Information on running a group

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Whether you’re new to campaigning and activism or busy getting on with the work, this is your one stop shop. For everything from writing a great press release to finding training, from building a caring organisational culture to finding a fiscal host, the Hub will get you straight to what you need.

The Hub was put together by the Social Change Lab as they know it can be daunting when people set out on their activist journey - and not everyone knows about the resources available for them. There are some brilliant comprehensive catalogues.

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Information about arts council funding, lottery funding and lots of useful links to other art related things.
Plus useful information sheets on aspects of running an arts organisation, such as insurance, organising an event, setting up a business and working with communities.

They don't publish an email address. You have to complete the

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ACIE maintains a register of independent examiners.

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Financial Management Toolkit and Fundraising Toolkit on website.

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Provide a range of guides on quality assurance, monitoriing and evaluation, including PQASSO (Practical Quality Assurance System for Small Organisations). Some resources are free to download from their website.

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Very comprehensive website with information how to set up a charity, legal guidance, and a database of all registered charities. Also has specialist guidance section specifically aimed at small groups wanting to become charities.
The Charity Commission is now part of the GOV.uk site, which can make it difficult to search for the information you need. They advise you to:

• always include 'charity commission' in your search terms, eg 'report serious incident charity commission'


• enter your search term, then select 'Charity Commission' from the drop down list of 'Organisations' on the search results page

• Information on the regulations about accounts and reporting for registered charities


• Guidance on the forms of insurance available to charity trustees, highlighting the importance of risk assessment


• Model governing documents for charities, including unincorporated associations and small charities


• Guidance about trustee conflicts of interest, including employing trustees


• Enquiries form

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Community Works runs the following projects for the voluntary sector in Brighton & Hove:

• A network of elected representatives, who speak on behalf of the sector at council and strategic partnership meetings.
• Six-monthly conferences and other networks where community and voluntary groups can get together and share experiences, information and views
• Volunteer Centre services:
  • You can advertise volunteer opportunities on the Community Works website.
  • They have a good practice guide for community groups who work with volunteers. It includes sample forms and policies for groups to adapt.
  • Regular forum for volunteer managers.
• Support for trustees and management committee members
• Business skills volunteering, which brokers relationships between voluntary groups and businesses
• A programme of training courses
• A mentoring scheme
• One-to-one consultancy
• A funding bid reading service
• A bank of sample policies and procedures, to help larger organisations develop their own policies.


• Information on sources of funding


• free half-hour one-to-one advice surgeries on any topic. These run on the last Tuesday of each month, between 2pm and 4.30pm. You need to book in advance - email [email protected] or call 01273 234023

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They have a useful set of briefings with information on various aspects of running a community group, particularly tailored for those involved in arts and crafts. You can filter by the categories of Best practice, Funding, Getting started, Planning events, Practical help, Publicity & promotion, Roles & responsibilities

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Useful online information on the role of the management committee, and other topics related to the community and voluntary sector.

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A useful collection of simple information sheets on running groups, covering things like What Insurance do we need?, The committee's essential responsibilities, A Glossary of Committee and Meeting terms, Committee rifts and disputes, How well does your group run?, and a Good Practice Guide on Volunteering.

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Website with a wide range of information and advice on setting up and running community groups, charities and social enterprises.

Have a large number of very useful, easy to read information sheets on a range of subjects, including campaigning, fundraising and publicity.

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Website has a page on Choosing the right legal structure for your group

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Website has advice on choosing a legal structure

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NCVO have a wide range of information on all aspects of running a community and voluntary group. They publish guidance on trustee liability and on insurance for volunteers and organisations, You can also ask questions about working in the community and voluntary sector. For example, how to recruit trustees, queries about employment legislation, or where to get a financial advisor.
NCVO's Workforce Project aims to share best practice on employment in the voluntary sector.

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This site provides a range of sample policies, successful fundraising applications, employment contracts and other information. To view the documents you have to register, but there is no cost.

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This is a website that tells you how to write in language that is easy to understand. It has info on:;
How to write plain English;
The A-Z of alternative words;
Guide to design and layout

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Offer training, advice, and lots of practical resources on their website. Really good guides on consensus decision-making, developing your strategy, campaign and action skills, setting up groups, and running co-ops.