Latest News

The Tool Factory have just launched the first in a series of free e-books aimed at helping social entrepreneurs and voluntary organisations as they write their business plan.

The e-book entitled ‘Business Plans: Your Questions Answered (or ‘How To Write A Business Plan As Well As A Professional Without Spending 10K’) answers 12 of the most common questions about business planning that The Tool Factory’s consultants and developers have been asked.

CVSs and Support Organisations are being invited to put the e-book on their website for their members and clients to download.

The FREE e-book can be downloaded from The Tool Factory website - just follow the link below.Download Your FREE E-book

The Bexhill Observer has a useful online directory of local groups, clubs and organisations.

 

Click HERE for more information

 

Click to download a copy of the current Directory of Voluntary Groups- Hastings and Rother.

 Please note - this is not a list of all groups in the area. Only those who have chosen to be listed in the Directory.

This is joint publication between Hastings Voluntary Action and Rother Voluntary Action. If you are a community group or charity and would like a free entry to the next edition contact the RVA office for more detail.

 

 

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Hastings and Rother Groups Directory.pdf	409.74 KB

Click here for the RVA Diary. Click on any event in the diary for more information and maps to the event

 

Download an example constitution. It is intended for guidance and general information, and is not a substitute for professional legal and/or financial advice. Contact RVA for more information.

 

No responsibility for loss occasioned as a result of any person acting or refraining from acting can be taken by RVA.

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Example Constitution.doc	43 KB

Library

"How to" guides, example policies and procedures and an example constitution. Click on the links on the left.

I want to volunteer - what do I do next?

Before contacting organisations it is a good idea to think about what you would like to do in terms of the acitivity and type of organisation you would like to work for - check out the rest of the 'I want to volunteer' section of this web site for ideas and insipiration. When it comes to finding current volunteering opportunities you can either search to do-it.org.uk online database of volunteering opportunities or get in with the RVA office who can advise

Can I be paid something to cover my expenses?

Yes, you can. It’s a good idea for organisations to cover all your extra expenses that arise from volunteering. That includes the cost of travelling to the volunteering and meals while volunteering. Unfortunately not all organisations do pay expenses. This could be because they don’t have enough funds or simply because they don’t realise that volunteers should be paid expenses.

How much time do I need to volunteer ?

This is really up to you. You can find volunteering that only takes an hour a month - there’s a trend towards short-term volunteering requiring minimal commitment. Having said that, obviously the less time you have the harder it can be to find something that’s right for you. You can volunteer at any time of the week, day or night. While much volunteering takes place in office hours, you can volunteer at evenings and weekends too, again depending on what you want to do.

Will I be interviewed?

Most organisations will probably not formally interview you before they place you but they will probably want to have an informal chat. However, if the role has some responsibility, for instance, for money, or if you will be working with people or with dangerous equipment, the interview may be more formal. In either case this gives you, and the organisation, a chance to assess each other and an opportunity to ask questions. An informal chat or interview can also give you an opportunity to look at where you will be volunteering and meet some of the other staff and volunteers. In addition to some form of meeting you may also be required to complete an application or registration form and in some cases provide references.

Can I leave if I don’t like it?

Yes, of course. You are under no real obligation to keep volunteering for an organisation that you unhappy in. Having said that however it is always worth talking to somebody about this first. This could be your volunteer co-ordinator (if there is one), your supervisor or someone in the organisation who is responsible for you or someone who you have got on with well. You can then discuss with them why you feel unhappy and what you feel would improve your time as a volunteer in the organisation.

I’m working full-time. Will I still be able to volunteer?

Yes, there are many opportunities to volunteer that do not require you to be available Monday to Friday during the day. Don’t be put off volunteering because you work full-time! Many organisations would love to find volunteers that are able to volunteer evenings, nights and/or weekends. Some examples of out of office hours volunteering include: campaigning, the Samaritans or other helplines, working with homeless people, befriending, environmental and sports activities.

What do volunteers do?

Almost anything you want to do or can think of! You can volunteer to rescue people from mountains, to farm organically, build houses, write a magazine, judge criminals as a magistrate, or fix computers. There are organisations out there you can join that cater for every interest and minority group imaginable.

Will I get training?

You need to ask your organisation this, as it varies a lot. Some organisations offer substantial training and support, but others don’t and expect you to learn on the job or contribute existing skills. So if you’re spending one day clearing overgrowth from paths, expect about 15 minutes at the start being told what to do, how to use the tools and what health and safety precautions to take. But if you volunteer to give welfare benefits advice you should get much more training. You might get 10 two-hour training sessions spread over several weeks before you see a client, plus ongoing training to keep you up-to-date.

Do I need qualifications?

Usually you don’t. Some very skilled work may demand qualifications, but usually organisations offer training to enable you to do the work.

Can I get a qualification?

It’s becoming more common for organisations to offer volunteers qualifications such as an NVQ, but it is still unusual. You may well learn a lot and gain valuable experience, skills and a reference though. If you do need a formal qualification, ask at interview, or contact your local volunteer bureau as they may know if any other local organisations offer qualifications.

Can I claim benefits while volunteering?

Yes, you can. The benefits regulations are clear that you can volunteer.

The HVA 'Community Group in a Box' contains everything you need to help set up a community group. Also other useful guides on this site

Download here>>>

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Rother Community Times Summer 08.pdf	1.01 MB
Rother Community Times Autumn 08.pdf	1.52 MB
Rother Community Times Winter 2009.pdf	1.8 MB
Rother CommunityTimes Summer 09.pdf	2.08 MB

ROTHER

De la Warr Pavillion DLWP is committed to developing a broad and diverse audience, and many events are free, or offered at minimal cost

Rother Community Plan find out what communities have said is important in Rother

Rother Strategic Partnership what and where is it?

Seaspace Regeneration for Hastings and Bexhill

 

 

EAST SUSSEX

ESCIS - an online database of local and community information developed and managed by the Library and Information Services of East Sussex County Council in association with Brighton and Hove Library Service

ESIF is a comprehensive, web-based information system - great for facts and figures about parishes, villages and towns in East Sussex, economic data, etc etc

ASKCASPER is a portal and search engine for voluntary organisations throughout East Sussex

 

 

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Action in Rural Sussex is a Rural Community Council. It was formed in 1931 as a registered charity and has served rural communities ever since.

3VA was established in 2010 and is an agency of community development which acts as umbrella bodies for local voluntary organisations in Eastbourne, Welden and Lewes

Hailsham Trust is a community enterprise, and a registered limited company. It trades and makes money like any other company but any profits are re-invested in the community to achieve social, economic or environmental objectives.

Hastings Trust is a community enterprise that aims to help those who live work or visit Hastings, to care for the environment, to help the local economy to flourish, to regenerate the town and, at the the same time, conserve all that's good in it

Hastings Voluntary Action provides a range of support services that promote voluntary action and help voluntary and community groups operate effectively and improve management quality.

Newhaven Community Development Assoication was founded in 1997. Its main aim was to develop partnerships between voluntary organisations and ensure all the community participate in the regeneration of Newhaven.

South Downs CVS (SDCVS) was set up in 1990 to promote and support Voluntary Action in the local government area of Lewes District in East Sussex

 

GENERAL

The Charity Commission is established by law as the regulator and registrar for charities in England and Wales.

NCVO is a charity that gives voice and support to voluntary and community organisations. They have several specialist teams who provide information, advice and support to suit all organisational sizes

Legal Information for groups