USEFUL TO KNOW
Online Resources
Our selected links to information and resources on policy and practice that you may find of use.
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Last Updated : 14 September 2024 *New #Updated
FEATURE ONE: NHS 111 is now offering crisis mental health support *
For the first time, people experiencing mental health crisis can now benefit from support through the NHS 111 Helpline. Announced in August 2024.
Millions of patients experiencing a mental health crisis can now benefit from support through 111, the NHS has announced. The change means the NHS in England is one of the first countries in the world to offer access to a 24/7 full package of mental health crisis support through one single phone line.
Handling bullying, harassment or discrimination complaints at work
(ACAS)
As an employer or manager, you should do all you can to try to prevent and stop bullying, harassment, discrimination and victimisation at work.
(National Council of Voluntary Organisations)
2024 is certain to have more than its fair share of political, economic, and social change. But we’ve also entered a year of choices, challenges, and opportunities. NCVO's latest report analyses major trends and issues to help chart a path.
(NCVO)
Trustees are required to 'act in person directly' and any decisions affecting the organisation must be made by the trustees acting together. However, in practice many boards will authorise individual trustees, committees, or staff and volunteers to act on their behalf in specific areas, under a schemes of delegation.
Example Policies for Small Organisations
(Bexley Voluntary Services Council)
A selection of some core policy templates including safeguarding, data protection, volunteer agreement, expenses policy, lone working and more.
(NCVO: KnowHow Non Profit)
Practical tools and resources for use in the voluntary sector. Includes guidance on running a charity, business plan templates, funding & income, example HR policies to help you produce employment documents for your organisation, digital technology and much more.
Disciplinary procedure: step by step
(ACAS)
Roots HR Community Interest Company is the UK’s specialist consultancy for human resources for the social sector. They enable organisations to continually improve performance and sustainability through better people management.
Building psychological safety in the workplace
The concept of psychological safety in the workplace is gaining recognition. It’s fundamental both to the performance of your charity and to the wellbeing and happiness of your employees.
HR Toolkits & Human Resources Guides
(Roots HR)
Roots HR Community Interest Company is the UK’s specialist consultancy for human resources for the social sector. They enable organisations to continually improve performance and sustainability through better people management.
KnowHow – Strategy and Business Planning
(NCVO: KnowHow Non Profit)
Business plan templates and guidance for charities and voluntary organisations. Includes important things to think about before you start the planning process, and a step-by-step guidance on how to complete each section of your business plan.
(effective, affordable comms)
For modern and advanced communications & sharing features take a look at Google's Premier GSuite which includes enhanced storage, video conferencing, real-time collaboration on shared documents, spreadsheets, presentations and more.
FEATURE TWO: Voice 4 Change England
Voice4Change England (V4CE) is a charity and national advocate for the Black and Minoritised voluntary and community sector in the UK. It was founded in October 2005.
As the UK's leading national membership organisation dedicated to the Black and Minoritised VCS, V4CE continue to actively speak up to policymakers on the issues that matter to the sector, bring the sector together to share good practices and develop the sector to better meet the needs of communities.
LEx Living Toolkit *
The LEx Development Programmes' bank of good governance resources includes various essential topics.
These resources were developed in partnership with various local organisations and enterprises, including Birmingham Voluntary Services Council (BVSC), BlueSky Coaching, EW Accounting and Training Personified.
(National Council of Voluntary Organisations)
NCVO want people to recognise the essential role played by charities and volunteers. Because we know voluntary action is essential to change the world that we all live in. NCVO harnesses the collective power of 17,000 members to ensure charities and volunteers have the support they need to make a difference and the best possible environment to work in.
(Make An Impact CIC)
If you’re looking for support to start or grow your social enterprise you’re in the right place, and MAI's own membership includes free and paid options.
(National Council of Voluntary Organisations)
Good governance in charities is fundamental to their success. It enables and supports a charity’s compliance with the law and relevant regulations. It also promotes a culture where everything works towards fulfilling the charity’s vision.
(Third Sector)
See all the charity governance news, in-depth reporting, best practice, expert advice and discussion, including regulation, the Charity Commission, charity law, charity independence and the role of chairs and trustees. Regularly updated.
FEATURE THREE: Synergi Briefings
The Synergi Collaborative Centre is a five-year national initiative to reframe, rethink and transform the realities of ethnic inequalities in severe mental illness and multiple disadvantage.
Taking a collaborative approach, the centre aims to use the principles of co-production of knowledge and a creative mix of robust research methods. The centre will work closely with commissioners, policymakers
and politicians, service providers, citizens and those experiencing mental distress, to eradicate ethnic inequalities in severe mental illness and their fundamental causes.
(MIND)
Explains rights to social care, and how this differs from healthcare. Includes information on eligibility, needs assessments, financial assessments, and how local authorities may meet needs.
Multiplying: Free volunteer management platform
(Update Brum)
Levol-app is a European partnership to improve the volunteering management programmes of non-profit organisations through an online training platform created on five languages.
Crowdfunder: Fee-free for charity fundraising
( Crowdfunder )
Crowdfunder won’t take a single penny from your cause, which means 100% of the money you raise
remains in your pot. Plus with Gift Aid as standard, your charity could receive up to an additional 25% compared to a loss of around 3% with other websites.
NCVO free online safeguarding resources
(National Council of Voluntary Organisations)
Keeping people safe is important. All organisations need to do safeguarding well. Everyone needs to be involved. These resources will help you to make plans and carry them out.
(National Council of Voluntary Organisations)
These principles aim to support charities, their governing bodies and those who work and volunteer in and with them in recognising and resolving ethical issues and conflicts and make charities a safer place.
These principles set out a framework for the ethical execution of charitable purpose, regardless of the charity’s size, type or area of operation.
