The aim of this information sheet is to help you to understand what you need to know about running your group/organisation and how to find out more.

It is not an exhaustive list so if you come across something you don’t understand and we’ve not included it please let us know.

If you would like to know more about anything mentioned on this information sheet, please get in touch.

An Annual General Meeting (AGM) is valuable to members and, if it is written into the governing document, an organisation must hold it whether the management committee wish to do so or not. The AGM gives all members an opportunity to ask questions and put forward motions on their own account.

Whatever type of group, organisation, charity or social business you have it will benefit from spending time to plan ahead. If you are thinking about setting up a new organisation it is good practice to go through the process of identifying need and market research before deciding on the most appropriate legal structure for your work.

Important Changes and Updates

This year, the Charity Commission changed the requirements for completing your Annual Return as a Registered Charity. These changes are outlined below and apply to charities’ financial years ending on or after 1 January 2023.

Everyone has a right to feel safe and to live without fear of abuse or exploitation, and to be happy and secure in their activities. Your group must look out for the safety and wellbeing of people it comes into contact with; no one should be harmed by coming into contact with your group.

FAQs about GDPR 

Does GDPR still exist after Brexit? 

Yes. The Data Protection Act 2018 is the UK’s implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). 

What is the GDPR?  

The recent and rapid emergence of hundreds of localised COVID-19 Mutual Aid groups across the country has been awe-inspiring. Agile place-based communities have been able to self organise online before many established charities have been able to develop their own response to the pandemic. Thousands of people have signed up to volunteer to help reduce loneliness and ease food poverty amongst some of the most vulnerable members of our population.

Management committee members must make sure their organisation is fully insured for the work it does. What you need will depend upon the activities you carry out, if you employ staff or use volunteers and if you own or use buildings, vehicles, equipment and so on. You should nominate one management committee member and, if you have them, a staff member or volunteer, to oversee all insurances and make sure they are up to date.

This information sheet offers practical guidance for Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise organisations looking to return to work following the easing of COVID-19 lockdown measures.

This information sheet is for all voluntary organisations that have contact with adults who might be at risk of abuse and neglect.

We are currently updating this page of the website and will update as soon as possible. 

However, both Newcastle and Gateshead have new websites for safeguarding data.

This information sheet is for all voluntary organisations and community groups that have contact with children and young people up to the age of 18.