This page provides some starting points but if you need additional group support or guidance, we’re here to help.
Our website has specific pages for information on Trustees or Volunteers.
Good governance enables and supports a charity’s compliance with relevant legislation and regulation.
Charity set up: Setting up a Charity NCVO guidance
Establishing the right structure: should your group become a registered charity? CIO? CIC? Existing tools from NCVO and Resource Centre may help answer your questions. You may also like to ask for development advice from Cranfield Trust, or OSEP – who support social enterprises in Oxfordshire.
Policy information: Policies and Procedures
Challenges/Development: OCVA and Charity Mentors Oxfordshire provide a ‘First Stop’ service for charity leaders. Offering monthly one-to-one slots for charity leaders to talk in complete confidence about any challenges they are facing. Charity leaders include trustees, senior managers or chief executives.
Legal advice:
Get Legal
Community Interest Company Regulation
LawWorks
Public Law Project
Finance: ACES: Accounting for Community Engaging Students. Could a volunteer help your organisation? Second and final year Brookes Accounting students often volunteer with local charities, cooperatives, community interest companies, social enterprises and voluntary associations.
Human resources: HRNet, NCVO, and Payroo – a payroll service which is free if you have fewer than nine employees.
We also have advice on Funding or Diversifying your income stream.
Strategic support: Often daily ‘firefighting’ leaves little time for strategic thinking. Charity Mentors provide a fresh, experienced pair of eyes that will help trigger new approaches, achieve clarity, and give increased confidence about decisions.
Managing your buildings Low Carbon Hub and TOE2.
Community First Oxfordshire advises on and supports community halls.
Rural information: Rural issues Rural Isolation in Oxfordshire report
Networking: Responsible Oxfordshire Business Involvement Network (ROBIN) – a network of like-minded people from businesses and public sector bodies in Oxfordshire. It has members of all sizes representing a wide range of interests. Members collaborate and support charities and community groups by sharing skills and resources creatively.