Getting Started

When considering setting up a voluntary organisation, there are several factors that need to be considered and steps that need to be completed.

What do I need to start a charity, community group or voluntary organisation?

To get started you need:

• An innovative idea for improving the quality of life of those in your community
• Identified that there is a need for your idea
• An action plan on how you intend to achieve this
• A management committee with a minimum of 3 people
• A governing document depending on your choice of legal structure. Options include:
• Unincorporated association (for the more informal community groups)
  • Registered charity (organisations with a yearly income of over £5,000 and with charitable objects) - see the Charity Commission
  • Company Limited by Guarantee - see Companies House
  • Community Interest Company or social enterprise (for organisations planning to generate an income to reinvest into social purposes) - see the CIC Regulator

Your governing document lays out the organisation's aims, the roles and responsibilities of trustees and members and the procedures for governing the organisation.

It is not appropriate for some voluntary groups to take the form of a charity. Some are better described as social enterprises. You can find useful information on social enterprises on our website.