vsl learning logo

Free and discounted training

/by

vsl learning offer GDPR,Cybersecurity, safeguarding. If your turnover is £100,000 or less the training will be free.

See the leaflet for more information on how to take advantage of this offer.

Director of Public Health Report – West Northamptonshire

/by

This year’s report focuses on the importance of healthy ageing and the collaborative work taking place across West Northamptonshire to ensure that older adults have the opportunities and support they need to age well. The Local Authority is working towards a shared vision of ageing that promotes good health, mobility, and dignity enabling more of our residents to live independently in their own homes for longer.

 

With the number of residents aged 65 and over projected to rise by nearly 24% over the next decade, this report outlines a system-wide approach to supporting older people, with a clear aim to reduce health inequalities and improve quality of life.

 

Key highlights from the report include:

  • A strong focus on prevention and early intervention, supported by a Council-wide strategy to help residents before health issues develop or escalate.
  • Community-led initiatives, such as the “Get Up and Go” strength and balance classes, falls prevention programmes, and local wellbeing groups, which are helping hundreds of older adults stay active, connected, and purposeful.
  • Partnerships with voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise (VCFSE) organisations, including innovative work in Brackley and Northampton to reduce social isolation and improve mental health.
  • A commitment to joining the World Health Organisation’s Age-Friendly Communities network in 2025, reinforcing our ambition to create inclusive and supportive environments for all older residents.

The report states:

This progress is only possible thanks to the tremendous partnership efforts across our organisations. We are proud of what has been achieved so far and look forward to continuing this journey together to make a lasting difference in our communities.

 

You can read the full report here: full report 

charity management health checks

/by

Charity Excellence have 8 free online charity management health checks, including fundraising & governance, quick and simple to use, with a huge range of free help and resources.

LawWorks

/by

LawWorks is a charity working in England and Wales to connect volunteer lawyers with people and VCSE organisations in need of legal advice.

The Not-for-Profits Programme brokers legal advice to small not-for-profit organisations on a wide range of legal issues, to support the continuation and expansion of their services to people in need. The advice is given for free (pro bono).

LawWorks also develops resources which provide general information for not-for-profit organisations on specific areas of law, to enable them to spot and avoid potential legal problems. These resources include:
Free Talk Videos

Free Talks are short online videos presented by solicitors about common legal issues faced by small not-for-profit organisations.

The videos are all free to watch and aim to help you when making important decisions.

They also produce a range of resources.

Guidance notes

These legal resources help to answer some frequently asked questions that we receive from charities and not-for-profit organisations.

Running an organisation – Templates and Policies

/by

These templates and samples, created by VIN or found online, provide a practical starting point for your group’s documents.

Employing people

ACAS offers free templates for workers and employers, including:

  • letters
  • forms and HR templates
  • policies

 

Data Protection

/by

Data protection legislation controls how your personal information is used by organisations, including businesses and government departments.

In the UK, data protection has been governed by the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

However on the 19th June 2025 the Data Use and Access Act 2025 (DUAA) came into force. The changes in this will be phased in between June 2005 and June 2026.

Who are the regulators

In the UK, the GDPR will be overseen by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). They are an independent public body set up to uphold information rights in the public interest. The ICO sit independently of government,

The following information is based on the situation before the 19th June 2025.

Data principles

Everyone responsible for using personal data has to follow strict rules called ‘data protection principles’ unless an exemption applies.

How to handle Data Breaches

If you think you’ve had a personal data breach – perhaps an email has been sent to the wrong person, a laptop was stolen from a car or you’ve lost files because of a flood – and you’re worried about what to do next, take a look at this guidance on the ICO.

New to Data Protection?

The ICO has produced a Getting Started with Data Protection: a step by step guide. They also provide a video introducing Data Proection.

Lloyd’s Bank Foundation – funding for Deaf and Disabled Peoples Organisations

/by

Lloyd’s Bank Foundation have launched a programmed aimed to support registered charities, CICs and CIOs which are led by and working for Deaf and Disabled people. Organisation must have an income between £25,000 to £500,000. All grant are three-years and unrestricted £75,000.

The programme closes at 5:00pm on the 4th September

More information can be found

https://www.lloydsbankfoundation.org.uk/funding/deaf-and-disabled-peoples-organisations-fund/

We will be holding a live webinar on 16 July 2025 to talk through the programme. This will include eligibility and shortlisting criteria. There will be an opportunity to ask questions live. You can learn more and sign up for this webinar by clicking here.

If you still have questions after reading the guidelines and completing the eligibility quiz, you can book a meeting to speak to someone from our team before you submit an application.

Governance – Templates and Policies

/by

These templates and samples found across the web provide a practical starting point for your group’s documents.

Trustees Role Description

The Trustee Recruitment Cycle from Reach Volunteering helps boards recruit Trustees. Providing information, tools and examples from real charities, they take you through the whole recruitment process. This excellent resource includes a sample Trustee Role description, which you can download here.

Top Tips for applying to Grants and Trusts

/by

The voluntary sector has become incredibly skilled in raising income through grants and external trusts. Grants come in a variety of forms and are given by a variety of funders. Each funder has its own specific criteria and methods for assessing applications. It is therefore no surprise that this marketplace is highly competitive. Given that, how does an organisation avoid some of the common pitfalls, which means they spend more time applying for funds than receiving grants or awards?

Lesson 1. Always read the guidance.

“If only they read our eligibility criteria, they would see that we don’t fund that. A perennial complaint from funders”, Third Sector magazine.

According to the latest figures from the Big Lottery Fund, 46% of applications to one of its main funding programmes were ineligible. It is easy to forget that trusts, foundations, and other grant-making organisations have their own goals and priorities to meet. If you are seeking external financial support, you must identify a strong match between your organisation or project and the organisation you are approaching for support. This requires an investment of time to undertake the appropriate level of research to ensure that match. Remember also that details such as your level of turnover and the location in which you operate may make your application redundant before you even begin. So read the guidance and do not waste valuable time.

Lesson 2. Avoid jargon.

Once you have identified the right opportunities, you will inevitably be faced with a series of questions to which you need to provide a comprehensive written response to. Here are some top tips:

  • Be clear from the outset what your project is about; and what you are trying to achieve? If you don’t know, how is the Funder supposed to know?
  • Remember that the reader will most likely be new to your organisation, so you must never assume any prior knowledge. It will go in your favour if you are clear and concise.
  • Avoid jargon and buzzwords. Never use language that is unique to your organisation or its activities (or, if you must, at least explain what it means). Phrases that confuse and baffle will also frustrate.
  • Ask somebody with good written skills to proofread your answers before you submit them. Do they understand what your project is all about? Were they excited by it? Your answer should not lead to more questions. It should be clear enough that the reader understands and, more importantly, can make an effective decision.

If help is on offer from the funder, then take it. It is always useful to meet the funder to ask questions, get feedback and familiarised the funding officer with your work.

Lesson 3. Make sure the sums make sense

Another common reason for applications being rejected is applicants asking for unrealistic sums of money. If a funder states that their average level of committed grant is £20,000 then they will not fund a bid for £90,000. Similarly, asking for a lesser amount than you need, as a way of achieving a grant, is not ideal either simply because an organisation that does that will not have enough with which to run that project.

Strike a balance based on the funding recommendation for each award

Funders are also frustrated by simple budgetary errors such as miscalculations, unproven assumptions, or just poor mathematics. Always double or triple-check the calculations and ensure that the budget is sufficient for your needs. Applications are often refused on this basis.

Funding officers may have several hundred applications to check. Do not give them an easy excuse to reject yours.

Types of Fundraising

/by

Fundraising is the process of asking for money or other support to help a charity, voluntary, or community group achieve its aims. It can include donations from the public, grants from trusts, business sponsorships, events, or selling goods and services.

Fundraising must follow legal rules and ethical standards to protect donors and maintain public trust.

Individuals

The general public remains one of the most important sources of income for UK charities. In 2019/20, it amounted to 51% of charity income. (sources: SmallCharitiesData)

  • One-off donations – e.g. through appeals, charity tins, or online giving platforms like JustGiving  or Localgiving. Charity Digital list some of the best free and cheap online fundraising platforms for charities.
  • Regular giving – monthly donations via Direct Debit. Gift Aid can add 25p for every £1 given. CAF do a simple guide to Gift Aid. It is possible for Unincorporated Associations to also receive Gift Aid if they register with HMRC.
  • Major donors – individuals who give large amounts, often with a personal connection to the cause.
  • Gifts in wills (legacies) – an essential long-term source of funding, especially for larger charities. The Chartered Institute of Fundraising Guide to Legacies is a useful place to start to find out more.

Grants from Trusts and Foundations

Many charities rely on grant funding for specific projects or core costs. Applications are considered against pre-defined criteria. Grants can be both short or long-term.

Top Tip: Match your project to the funder’s priorities. Read their guidance carefully before applying. To read out more tips, take a look at our Grants and Trusts factsheet.

Corporate Support

Businesses often support charities through partnerships, sponsorships, or staff fundraising.

  • Charity of the Year schemes
  • Sponsorship for events or campaigns
  • In-kind support, such as free products or services
  • Matched giving – where employers match what staff raise or donate

Chartered Institute of Fundraising provides a good introduction to Corporate Fundraising.

Top Tip: Approach local companies or those with a link to your group.

Community Fundraising & Events

Grassroots fundraising brings people together and builds local support.

Top Tip: Always follow fundraising and licensing rules. You can find out more about in the Code of Fundraising Practice on the Fundraising Regulator’s website.

Statutory Funding

This funding can either be either by:

  • Grants – short-term
  • Commissioned services – which are when a charity is paid by a public body—such as a local authority, the NHS, or central government—to deliver services that meet public needs. Read more about how West Northants Council handles contracts.

Top Tip: You’ll need strong governance, financial systems, and evidence of outcomes to succeed with public sector funding.

Earned Income

Earned income is often classed as Fundraising, but technically speaking it is slightly different and more generally falls under the heading of Social Enterprise. Regardless of terminology though, earning income from room hire or delivering training is an important and valuable tool in the toolkit of most Voluntary Sector organisations

  • Charity shops
  • Room or venue hire
  • Selling services (e.g. training, consultancy, printing)

For registered Charities there are rules about trading. Guidance can be found here.

Final Thoughts: Building a Sustainable Mix

To build long-term sustainability:

  • Start with what fits your charity’s capacity and strengths
  • Diversify your income so you’re not reliant on a single source
  • Be transparent and consistent with supporters
  • Regularly review what works and adapt your approach