Starting and running your group

If you care about a cause, starting a new group or project can be very rewarding and have a real impact. On this page, we’ve shared some useful guidance and information to help you bring your ideas to life.

Before you begin

We suggest you start by considering the following points to help you to clarify your vision, identify your audience and assess the level of need.

Create a clear vision: define what you want to achieve and outline your short and long term goals.

Establish the demand: is there a need for your project or group? Can you demonstrate that your project is addressing a particular issue?

Identify your target audience: do you have a clear idea of the people who would be likely to use your services? Gather feedback and consider demographics, needs and preferences.

Do your research: check whether there’s a similar group or service available in your area and think about how yours will differ.

Consider capacity: do you understand the time and level of commitment involved? Who else could help you to run the group, and do you need people with particular expertise?

The help offered from Jenny at Spark Somerset has allowed WATCH to become a CIO which will change the way we operate for the better.

– Director, Chard Watch CIC

Incorporated or unincorporated?

An unincorporated group is legally understood to be a collection of individuals. This means that the group has no legal identity beyond the people who make up its management committee.

As a result, the members of an unincorporated group are personally liable for the group’s actions. It’s important to be aware of this liability and carefully assess any risks you may face.

Unincorporated groups cannot enter into legal contracts. Instead, a member must enter the contract in their own name. This type of structure is most appropriate for groups which have a low income and do not intend to employ staff or acquire property.

An incorporated group is a legal entity in its own right. This means that members of incorporated groups are not personally liable for the group’s actions. It also means that the group can enter into legal contracts.

Incorporated structures are most appropriate for groups which trade or raise large sums of money and/or enter into large, legally binding contracts.

Selecting your structure

If you decide that your group should become incorporated, the next step is to decide its structure.

There are several to choose from, each with its own benefits and restrictions – so it’s important to consider what your organisation needs.

You can find lots of useful information on the NCVO website, or contact our team to discuss which option is right for you.

Running your group

Once you’ve chosen your organisational structure, there will be more things to consider, some of which we have listed below. Not all of these will apply to your group, however we can offer help and support with any of the following:

Forming a committee or board of trustees or directors
Registering your governing document with the appropriate regulator (the Charities Commission, for example) if required
Opening a bank account with more than one signatory
Securing the appropriate insurance for the activities you intend to carry out
Choosing the right venue and facilities for your group’s activities
Determining operational activities (the frequency of meetings, for example) and what to do if you need to close the group
Formulating policies and procedures, such as GDPR, equality, diversity and inclusion, or health and safety
Safeguarding your staff, volunteers and beneficiaries
Recruiting and managing volunteers
Business planning and risk management
Finding funding and generating new income
Working in partnership with other organisations

Need our help?

If you would like support with any of the topics mentioned on this page, please get in touch.