Welcome to the CVS members Resource Library
This collection of practical, easy-to-use resources is designed to support you at every stage of your voluntary sector journey.
Whether you’re brand new to the field or a long-standing professional, having clear, relevant information at your fingertips can save valuable time and energy—and help you focus on the work that matters most.
This library is an evolving resource, so if there’s something you’d like us to add, we’d love to hear from you.
Access to this library is just one of many benefits of CVS membership. Enjoy exploring!
Getting Started
Starting small
Starting small
- If you’re forming a group but not ready for a legal structure, it’s useful to have a constitution (a simple set of rules that your group follows): A step-by-step guide to writing a constitution for a small community group.
Choosing a legal structure
Choosing a legal structure
- If you’re ready for a legal structure but not sure which one to go for, try the Legal forms decision tool (flow chart)
- NCVO has produced a guide on what to consider when choosing your legal structure and the main characteristics of each legal structure.
Setting up a charity
Charity:
- The simple guide to setting up a charity – CharitySetup checklist by NCVO
- Charity Commission guidance on choosing a legal structure here.
- Government’s step by step guide to setting up a charity: gov.uk/setting-up-charity
Setting up a CIC
Setting up a co-operative
Co-operatives
- A step-by-step guide to starting a co‑op and online registration tool: uk.coop/start-new-co-op
Governance
Charity Boards
Charity boards
- Finding and appointing new trustees
- Trustee board: people and skills
- Users on board: beneficiaries who become trustees
- Charity trustees: resignation and removal
- Why some individuals can’t act as charity trustees
- Making good decisions as a board
- Running good meetings
- Managing conflicts of interest
- Helping your board understand their responsibilities
Trustees
Trustees
‘5-minute guides’ for charity trustees: Short guidance on the basics all trustees need to know:
- Charity purposes and rules
- Making decisions at a charity
- Managing charity finances
- Managing conflicts of interest in a charity
- What to send to the Charity Commission and how to get help
- Safeguarding for charities and trustees
- Political activity and campaigning by charities
Trustee responsibilities: smallcharitysupport.uk/index.php/governance
Trustee roles (NCVO): Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Patrons/presidents
Trustee disqualification: ncvo.org.uk/help-and-guidance/governance/responsibilities-for-boards/trustee-disqualification/
Finances
Finances
- Claiming gift aid as a charity or amateur sports club: gov.uk/claim-gift-aid
- Guide to preparing a charity annual report: gov.uk/guidance/prepare-a-charity-trustees-annual-report
Legal advice
Legal advice
Law works gives legal advice for not-for-profits on pro-bono (free) basis
Legal advice for arts organisations
Policies
Policies
1. Sefton CVS has a range of downloadable policy and procedure templates including:
- Equal opportunities
- Health and Safety
- Lone Working
- Disciplinary
- Anti-harassment and bullying
- Grievance procedure
- Whistleblowing
https://seftoncvs.org.uk/policytemplates/
2. Small Charity Support UK has a range of policies for groups download including:
- Bullying & Harassment
- Code of Behaviour
- Conflicts of Interest
- Reimbursing Expenses & Purchases
- Equal Opportunities
- Financial Management
- GDPR
www.smallcharitysupport.uk/index.php/example-policies
3. Wigan Council Communities Team has lots of downloadable policies for groups:
Resources
Data protection
Data protection
Advice for small organisations from the Information Commissioners Office:
and
Risk assessment
Risk assessment
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advice: Managing risks and risk assessment at work
Safeguarding
Safeguarding
NCVO has safeguarding resources for all sizes of organisations: ncvo.org.uk/help-and-guidance/safeguarding/
Charity Commission:
Websites & I.T
Websites & I.T
- VOICE: is a free website builder for charity, community, not-for-profit, and voluntary groups in the UK. It’s easy to set up and completely free (even if you use your own domain name) – e-voice.org.uk
- Lumen5: Turn anything into videos that people want to watch – lumen5.com
- Canva: free-to-use online graphic design tools – canva.com
- TechSoup: technology solutions for charities including free or low cost MS Office 365 subscription, software donations & discounts, plus training & information – techsoup.uk
- Revive IT: computer recycling, free collection – reviveit.co.uk
