Suffolk ACRE's support programme for Community groups, Charities and social Enterprises, developing Sustainability and Strength

Suffolk ACRE has a long history of supporting all manner of community groups through services ranging from start up advice to funding information, governance issues, Charity Law, staffing and volunteers, marketing and so on. You ask, and we respond.

Whether you are a community organisation, Registered Charity, Company Limited by Guarantee, social enterprise, or even a new Community Interest Company, the services we provide under our SUCCESS programme are designed to help you.

The list below is by no means exhaustive, but have a look here at the sort of support our specialist advisors can provide:

BUSINESS PLANNING
• Market research
• Business plan templates
• Writing the business plan

START UP SUPPORT
• Choosing the right legal structure
• Sample formation documents
• Sources of initial funding

MANAGEMENT
• Establishing a Committee / Trustees / Board
• Roles and responsibilites
• Charity Commission or other regulatory requirements

FINANCE
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Managing the money
• Funding / fundraising

MARKETING
• Identifying your users / customers
• Marketing plans
• Effective Marketing

STAFFING
• The recruitment process
• Contracts, policies and documentation
• Recruiting and managing volunteers

SUSTAINABILITY
• Medium to long term planning
• Sources of income and diversification
• Funding and charging strategy

THE HEALTH CHECK
• A picture of health, or intensive care?
• Services and money
• Planning for the future

These are of course only the main topics under each heading, and there are many more aspects which we regularly cover in our telephone and e mail responses to queries, and in our one-to-one meetings with groups. Why not tell us what the issues are for your organisation - its highly likely we have heard the question before!

On top of all this, Suffolk ACRE does from time to time run a variety of short training courses on these and other subjects, according to demand. For the latest position on these, and on a wide range of other subjects we cover across the organisation, please visit the training and workshop page or telephone 01473 345300 for an up to date copy of our Projects and Services guide.

Free Downloadable Resources

Please note, these documents require Adobe Reader or Microsoft Word to view. Adobe Reader is available free of charge on their website at www.adobe.com. These articles are all courtesy of Grantfinder.

Securing grant funding

Thinking about Social Enterprise? For additional social enterprise support please visit  www.brightspace.org

Writing a winning financial plan

Writing a fundaraising strategy

Writing a constitution

An Introduction to better writing

Beginners guide to secure funding

Exit strategies and ways to achieve sustainability

Starting Voluntary or Community Groups

Selecting and recruiting the right trustee (MS Word)

Top tips for organising an event (MS Word)

Glossary of terms

 

Foundation East is a democratic organisation controlled by its members who are individuals and organisations.  It provides funding for businesses who have been turned down for bank finance despite having a viable business plan.  The loans must be less than £50,000 and many are just for a few thousand pounds. 

The Society also promotes and facilitates the creation of Community Land Trusts whereby land or buildings are acquired by a community to meet a local need.

Further information can be found at www.foundationeast.org

The Guild Social Economy Services CIC

Offers a specialist, customer-focused, business service and company registration support to people who are starting or converting to social enterprises'  http://www.the-guild.co.uk/service_detail.php?recordID=1

 

For more information on any of the support services mentioned here, or to arrange for direct support to be provided to your group, contact:

Barry Henson T: 01473 345332 or E: barry.henson@suffolkacre.org.uk
Elizabeth Storer T: 01473 345311 or E: elizabeth.storer@suffolkacre.org.uk