Resources for Community Organisations
Guidance and Templates
Explore our collection of practical resources, templates and toolkits to support your organisation. Covering topics from governance and finance to policies, digital tools and more, these resources are designed to help you work more effectively.
Sample Policy Templates
- Adult Safeguarding Policy
- Children Safeguarding Policy
- Complaints Policy
- Conflict of Interest Policy
- Confidentiality Policy
- Environmental Policy
- Equality Policy
- Financial Management and Controls Policy
- Health and Safety Policy
- Lone Working Policy
- Whistleblowing Policy
And these organisations provide a range of templates
- Charity Excellence - Free Charity Policy Templates
- Directory of Social Change - Charity Policies and Procedures Templates
- NCVO - Sample documents and templates
IT
- Digital Candle - Free digital advice for charities
- SCVO - Digital Check Up
- Charity Digital - Discounts and services for charities
- Superhighways - Training, advice and technical support
Charity Finance
Small Charity Finance Support Directory - A directory of finance specialists, networks and support organisations for charities, CICs, community groups and social enterprises.
Fundraising
For fundraising resources, visit our Fundraising Support page
Volunteering
For volunteering resources, visit our Volunteer Resources page
Governance
- The Charity Governance Code – A practical framework to help trustees achieve good governance and strengthen leadership, decision-making and accountability.
- The Charity Commission - the Essential Trustee Guide
- The Charity Commission - Charities and Risk Management
- Should your charity convert from a Charitable Company to a CIO? - helpful guidance from Russell Cooke
Pro Bono Support
- Russell Cooke run a free legal helpline for more details see below
- The Big Alliance - Connects businesses with local charities and community organisations through volunteering, mentoring and skills-sharing.
- London Metropolitan - Pro Bono Legal Advice Clinic
- NCVO - Small Charities Helpdesk
Partnerships, Networking & Mergers
- Charity Digital - 5 steps towards a Charity Merger
- VAI's booklet on a Guide to Networking and Partnerships for Small Charities
Russell Cooke Free Legal Helpline
Voluntary Action Islington members can access a free telephone helpline provided by Russell Cooke for general legal guidance on issues affecting charities and community organisations, including governance, contracts, fundraising, employment, data protection, safeguarding, property and charity law.
A solicitor will usually contact you within 1–3 working days.
The helpline provides general guidance only and does not include written legal advice, document drafting or review.
For full terms and conditions or further information, contact tsigereda.tekletsadik@vai.org.uk.
Access the Helpline
9.30am–5.00pm
Monday to Friday
Telephone: 020 3826 7534
Email: newenquiries@russell-cooke.co.uk
Subject line: "Voluntary Action Islington helpline"
