Managing community and voluntary groups isn’t always easy. We provide expert advice to community and voluntary groups and projects in Bridgend County Borough.
We provide ongoing support and advice including drafting and amending governing documents, charity and company registration, developing policies and procedures (e.g. safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, equalities and diversity, health and safety). We also provide tailored support to groups in their development of both capital and revenue funding bids.
BAVO provides practical support to third sector organisations to help them become more sustainable, generate new income and successfully bid to deliver public services. A wide range of organisations have received guidance, support and sign-posting information in the areas of governance, legal structures, policy development, funding, partnership working and tendering.
Organisations have also benefited from awareness sessions and advice on setting up social enterprises, including the type of legal structures that are available. Workshops have been delivered covering topics such as the roles and responsibilities of trustees and developing a funding strategy.
Third Sector Support Wales provides information and learning resources for the voluntary sector in Wales on Knowledge Hub.
Knowledge Hub is a helping hand with running your organisation, finding funding, recruiting and managing volunteers and more. The pages will guide you through some of the most important topics and things to consider to help all organisations better run themselves.
As well as a selection of information sheets and online courses, Knowledge Hub also gives you the opportunity to network with peers and have discussions on topics that are important to you. It is completely free to use for anyone working or volunteering in the voluntary sector in Wales, or for those wanting to get involved in the third sector for the first time.
To take advantage of the Knowledge Hub, register at knowledgehub.cymru
…that if your group is solely for the benefit of the public and has annual income of over £5,000 per year, of whatever kind, and regardless of how it is spent, it MUST register as a charity?
BAVO staff can help your group to register as a charity, and even reduce the liability of your committee/board at the same time by helping you to register as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
If your group owns property or employs staff this could be the wisest choice of legal structure. BAVO staff will discuss the options with you and support you throughout the process, providing guidance and options that are in the best interests of your organisation. Read more about Charity Registration
Are you setting up a new Community Interest Company? You can now use an online incorporation process. This new digital registration option will offer:
For further information on the new online process, take a look at this webinar which provides an overview of the online system.
We tend to use our constitutions like a faithful old piece of furniture – well used but rarely closely examined. We assume it’s in good shape and run a duster over it occasionally but never check the fundamental structure for weaknesses or worn out parts.
It’s good practice to cast a careful eye over your constitution every few years to ensure that it still reflects what your group actually does, and how you operate. If you find you need to update it you can call our development staff for support. If you do make changes to it, be sure to:
It’s a good idea to review your policies annually, shortly before an AGM as that will give you the opportunity to have updated versions adopted in a vote of members during the AGM. However, legislative changes will need to be incorporated into your policies as the relevant act comes into force.
Again, if you require support to ensure your policies are up to date, our development staff can help with this.
For further details, contact BAVO, T: 01656 810400 or E: bavo@bavo.org.uk
