Forming and managing a group to drive a project

This section includes information about how to form and manage a group to successfully move your project forwards. This includes: choosing a project leader; creating a steering group; formalising your group; becoming a charity; holding meetings and keeping records.

This means:

  1. Choosing a project leader
  2. Steering groups
  3. Formalising the group
  4. Becoming a charity
  5. Holding meetings
  6. Keeping Records
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Tools and information

Charities and community groups The Directgov website provides guides to starting up a group, finding and choosing trustees, tips on sources of funding and how to apply to become a charity.
Essential trustee: what you need to know A Charity Commission guide to trustee responsibilities.
Getting it Right Legally 1: Status and Structure for Play and Childcare Organisations A Playwork Partnerships publication providing guidance on different forms of legal structure and governance for community play and childcare providers.
Governing for Children Children England provides a beginners guide to governance in the children, young people and families’ voluntary sector.
How to involve children and young people in governance A Participation Works “How to” guide on how to involve children and young people in management committees and decision-making.
Making a difference A GreenSpace publication designed to help local people set up and maintain a community group for parks and green space.
Registering a charity Charity Commission information on registering a new charity, including all the publications and forms you need before you apply.
Setting up a community group Toolkit produced by Sandwell Community Information and Participation Service on setting up community groups.
Small charities A range of Charity Commission guidance for trustees and other involved in running small charities.
Trustee and governance NCVO provides a range of information and advice on governance including the Trustee and Governance Information Centre.
Trustee responsibilities Charity Commission guidance on the responsibilities of trustees and becoming a trustee.
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Organisations

Charity Commission The Charity Commission is the regulator for charities in England and Wales and provides information on registering to become a charity.
Children England Children England seeks to improve support for small voluntary and community sector organisations working with children, young people and families.
National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NVCO) NCVO provides information, advice and support for those working in, or with the voluntary sector.
Social Enterprise Coalition (SEC) The SEC website provides information for businesses trading for environmental or social purposes.
Voice4Change Voice4Change England is a national policy body dedicated to strengthening the BME Third Sector as a positive force for change. It provides support to the BME Third Sector at local, regional, and national levels.
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