Useful Resources
The following websites may be able to help with specific and more general information and explore potential sources of funding.
Advertising and marketing advice – www.adbriefing.com
Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform - http://www.berr.gov.uk/
The BBC Website - www.bbc.co.uk
Click on the Action Network and Where I live links.
Business Link - www.businesslink.gov.uk
Government site offering practical advice to all small businesses, including a search for local Business Link operators in your area and an interactive tool to help write documents and contracts.
Business in the Community (BiTC) - www.bitc.org.uk
An organisation of UK companies which offers services that may be of use, including ProHelp a national network of over 1,000 professional firms who offer work pro bono to local community groups and voluntary organisations; Rural Action, a campaign for companies to make a positive impact in rural areas; and Volunteering Plus a service to accredit volunteering, so that the learning and development that results from volunteering can be directly linked back to the workplace.
Business Rates - http://www.mybusinessrates.gov.uk
If your rural village has a population of under 3000 you are entitled to a 50% reduction in the rates bill or more if your local authority feels you need it. This applies if you are the only village general store or post office, as long as it has a rateable value of less than £7,000.
The Carbon Trust – www.carbontrust.co.uk
The Carbon Trust helps business and the public sector cut carbon emissions, and supports the development of low carbon technologies. This site provides advice and interest free loans.
The Charity Commission - www.charity-commission.gov.uk
The regulator and registrar for charities in England and Wales.
Charity Property Help is an organisation which provides property advice to charities and voluntary organisations. To find out more visit their website at www.charitypropertyhelp.com and register through the charities section.
Church of England Buildings – www.cofe.anglican.org
The rural church building provides a physical focus for many villages, and is often the only building available for community use when school, shop and pub have closed.
Commission for Rural Communities - http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/
Tackling rural disadvantage
Community Retail Network - an organisation established to support and promote community-owned shops in Scotland. www.communityretailing.co.uk
Community First – www.communityfirst.org.uk
Community First is a charity that works at the forefront of community development to help improve the quality of life and economic well being of people and local communities throughout Wiltshire and Swindon
Community Pubs Foundation – www.communitypubs.org
The community Pubs Foundation is an organisation set up with the aim to prevent the loss of, or inappropriate alterations to, a public house of community, architectural or historical importance, to improve the viability of a public house through the provision of community facilities and to protect the future of a public house through community ownership.
Co-operatives UK - www.cooperatives-uk.coop
The organisation for UK co-operative enterprise, promoting co-operative and mutual solutions, working in partnership with members to grow a stronger and more successful co-operative movement.
The Department of Culture, Media & Sport - www.culture.gov.uk
Click on Alcohol & Entertainment link for advice on applying for off licences.
The Department for Constitutional Affairs - www.dca.gov.uk
Offers details on the Data Protection Act
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - www.defra.gov.uk
Defra works for the pursuit of sustainable development - weaving together economic, social and environmental concerns.
Direct Gov - www.direct.gov.uk/DisabledPeople
Includes details about Disability Discrimination Act.
Disability - The Equality and Human Rights Commission - http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/Pages/default.aspx
Energy Saving Trust – www.est.org.uk
The Charity Bank - www.charitybank.org
Created by charities to provide loan finance, support and advice for charitable purposes.
Set up after the 1992 Rio Earth Summit by the government and private sector, it is a non-profit organisation committed to encouraging sustained use of energy and the cutting of CO2 emissions. Offers advice and some funding.
The Enterprise Fund - http://www.enterprisefund.co.uk
The Enterprise Fund provides loans to entrepreneurs whose businesses are located in the Greater Manchester or Cheshire area who are struggling to raise commercial loans from mainstream lenders.
The Food Standards Agency - www.food.gov.uk
Advice including food hygiene legislation.
Financial Services Authority - www.fsa.gov.uk
Regulator of all providers of financial services in the UK.
Governance Pages - www.governancepages.org.uk
A new source of online advice for management committees. It includes sections on recruiting new members and model documents.
The Health & Safety Executive - www.hse.gov.uk
Advice on all health and safety issues.
Around 250 priced publications that contain official health and safety advice and guidance will be available in PDF format from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) web site at no charge from September 2009. The publications cover the full range of HSE’s guidance as well as approved codes of practice (ACOPs) and guidance on regulations.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/news/2009/free-guidance.htm
Health and Safety Publications – www.hsebooks.co.uk
Publications on Health and Safety issues.
The Independent Retailer – www.indretailer.co.uk
Downloadable magazine which offers retail advice.
Independent Retailers Network – www.irn-talkingshop.co.uk
Set up for independent retailers, but may also be of help to community shops, particularly under Business Support.
Legal Pro Bono work: solicitors - www.probonogroup.org.uk - http://lawworks.org.uk/
This is a small, national charity whose aim is to enable and encourage lawyers to provide free legal help to individuals and community groups in need.
The Local Channel - www.thelocalchannel.co.uk
The Local Channel is a national network of over 20,000 community websites templated across England, Scotland and Wales at the first tier of electable government. We provide free help and support to use the site on 0800 38 986 38 . To register for a website please email info@thelocalchannel.co.uk with a contact.
Local Works - www.localworks.org
After 5 years of campaigning the Local Works coalition, of which the Plunkett Foundation's Rural Community Shops project is a leading member, achieved a great campaign victory that saw the Sustainable Communities Act became law.
The Sustainable Communities Act came into force in October 2008. It provides a channel for local people to drive central government assistance and action to improve and protect the economic, social and environmental well being of their area.
The potential of the Act is huge; it could be used by citizens, communities and councils to:
• Protect local services like Post Offices
• Increase renewable energy, public transport or local food
• Change the planning rules
• Change government policy or even force new legislation
ACTION - Please help make this Act a success
The Act's process started on 14th October 2008 when the Government invited all local authorities to use it. Only if your council/s choose to use this Act will you be able to use it too. So please write to your councillors urging them to use the Act (a sample letter is below that will make this quick and easy for you). Note councils have till 31st July 2009 to do this but the sooner they do so the better, so please write now!
For more information please visit the Local Works website - www.localworks.org
http://www.localworks.org/files/localworks.org/sample_letter_councillors.doc - sample letter.
Low Carbon Communities - a project aiming to engage communities, businesses and individuals to reduce their carbon footprint. To find out more visit their website at http://lowcarboncommunity.org/ .
Making Local Food Work - http://www.makinglocalfoodwork.co.uk/
Our objective: to 'reconnect people and land through local food increasing access to fresh, healthy, local food with clear, traceable origins'.
National Association of Village Shops - www.villageshops.org.uk
Includes a directory and links (where available) to village shops nationwide (both community-run and independent businesses).
Oultwood - http://www.oultwood.com/
Directory and locator of all local government websites.
Oxfordshire Rural Community Council - www.oxonrcc.org.uk
ORCC employs a full time Village Shops Development Worker and half her time is spent working with community shops. ORCC have considerable experience in community retailing and there is useful information on their web site.
Plunkett Foundation - www.plunkett.co.uk
The Plunkett Foundation is an educational charity which supports the development of rural group enterprise world-wide. It promotes and implements economic self help solutions to rural problems.
National Federation of Sub Postmasters - www.nfsp.org.uk
Represents the interests of sub postmasters.
The Post Office – www.postoffice.co.uk
The main website for the Post Office and Royal Mail.
The Postal Services Commission - www.postcomm.gov.uk
Post Watch - www.postwatch.co.uk
The watchdog for postal services with regional committees.
Pub is the Hub – www.pubisthehub.org.uk
Encourages breweries, pub owners, licensees and local communities to work together to help retain and enhance rural pubs by finding additional uses for them within the community.
Retail Merchant Services – www.retailmerchantservices.co.uk
Interested in taking debit/credit cards? Check out this website for further information on how this service may increase your business and convenience for your customers.
RISE - www.rise-sw.co.uk
RISE aims to support the development of a sustainable social enterprise sector in the South West of England. Good selection of national and local weblinks.
River Cottage – www.rivercottage.net
A website about food, where it comes from and why it matters.
Ruralfocus – www.ruralcity.co.uk
Ruralcity Media is an innovative media company dedicated to supporting rural business and communities. They produce a newsletter and an annual directory for rural decision makers.
Ruralnet uk - http://www.ruralnetuk.org/index.htm
A rural regeneration charity which promotes a living and working countryside
Rural Gateway - www.ruralgateway.org.uk
The gateway for information and services to rural communities in Scotland.
Rural Shops Alliance - www.rural-shops-alliance.co.uk
The RSA is the only national trade association that operates exclusively for and on behalf of the owners of independent village shops. Its activities include lobbying, legislation advice, sharing ideas and best practice, projects and training.
For information on EPOS visit Sage Solutions at www.bitcomputers.co.uk - an example of the systems available to shops.
Social Enterprise Training & Support Consortium (setas) - www.setas.co.uk
An information resource to help you find the most appropriate social enterprise training, support or relevant publication.
Survive and Thrive - a network supporting and promoting the work of community and social enterprises in the South West - http://www.thrivingenterprises.net
UK Villages Online - www.ukvillages.co.uk
Free and easy-to-use website to publicise your enterprise.
Volunteering England -
http://www.volunteering.org.uk/Resources/publications/freeguides.htm
The website offers advice on topics such as: volunteers and the law, good practice guides, how to turn your organisation into a volunteer magnet, volunteering and risk.
Access Funds - www.access-funds.co.uk
This site aims to provide the latest funding information from Central Government, National Lottery, devolved governing bodies, EU and quangos.
Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) - www.acre.org.uk
A charity which supports sustainable rural community development. There is a list of publications available to purchase which may be helpful at http://www.acre.org.uk/DOCUMENTS/resources/publicationlist.pdf
Awards for All - www.awardsforall.org.uk
A Lottery small grants scheme aimed at local communities.
Biffaward – www.biffaward.org
Biffaward is one of the landfill tax credit funded schemes. It supports projects which provide and improve public amenities for communities within 10 miles of a Biffa operation.
The Big Lottery Fund - www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
The Big Lottery Fund is the organisation that hands out half the money for good causes from the National Lottery.
Building Communities Fund - www.buildingcommunitiesfund.org.uk
A fund established by the East of England Development Agency making capital grants of between £250,000 and £750,000 to community-owned organisations in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk to help with purchasing and developing assets.
Particular support for development of sustainable, catalytic community assets. Fund expected to run until 31st March 2008.
The Church and Community Fund
Increasingly rural areas are looking to provide more community-based services through their local church. We have seen examples of Post Offices, farmer's markets and community shops being housed in the local faith building. For inspiration and guidance on the support and funds available visit the Church and Community Fund website - http://www.churchandcommunityfund.org.uk/about_us.html
The Charity Bank - www.charitybank.org
Created by charities to provide loan finance, support and advice for charitable purposes.
Community Sustainable Energy Programme - a Big Lottery funded programme providing grants for community-based enterprises to install microgeneration technologies such as solar panels and energy efficiency measures. To find out more, visit their website at http://www.communitysustainable.org.uk/ .
Community Foundations - www.communityfoundations.org.uk
Community foundations are charitable trusts that support local community causes. Their role is to manage donor funds and build endowment as well as make grants to charities and community groups, linking local donors with local needs.
The Conservation Foundation - www.conservationfoundation.co.uk - Founded in 1982 by David Shreeve and David Bellamy to provide a means for people in public, private and not-for-profit sectors to collaborate on environmental causes. The Conservation Foundation is working alongside O2 to award 60 cash awards of £1000 to project across the UK which benefits local communities or build community spirit - http://www.itsyourcommunity.co.uk/ .
Co-operative Community Dividend - www.midcounties.coop
The Midcounties Co-operative offers grants through The Co-operative Community Dividend Scheme to local organisations that provide a real benefit to real lives in their local community. Whether you're a youth club, football team, recycling project, a school or centre for the disabled, you could benefit from a grant of up to £1,000.
Co-operative & Community Finance - www.icof.co.uk
Provides loan finance to social enterprises.
The Co-operative Foundation - www.thecooperativefoundation.org
The Co-op’s Community Support Programme offers grants to help with the improvement of community facilities.
The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation - www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is one of the largest independent grant making foundations in the UK.
Futurebuilders England – www.futurebuilders-england.org.uk
Futurebuilders England (FBE) is the Government backed £125 million investment fund to help the voluntary and community sector deliver better public services. Futurebuilders, which opens for applications on May 1st is keen to receive applications from rural based voluntary and community groups.
Government Funding - www.governmentfunding.org.uk
Information about all the government grants available to the voluntary and community sector.
HBOS Foundation - www.hbosfoundation.org operates as an independent company and works with charitable and not-for-profit organisations across the UK, supporting people and their local communities.
Heart of England - www.heartofenglandcf.co.uk - Covers Coventry and Warwickshire. An established grant scheme that supports grassroot community projects.
j4b Grant information - http://www.j4b.co.uk/
This website enables volunteer and community sector organisations to search for government and lottery funding. It is free to access the grant search tool, receive the funding e-newsletter and electronic grant alerts; there is a charge for contact information, full descriptions and eligibility criteria.
Landfill Tax Credit Schemes - http://www.entrust.org.uk/
Welcome to the ENTRUST website. ENTRUST is the regulator of the Landfill Communities Fund
A list of all landfill operators can be found on HM Revenue & Customs website. www.customs.hmrc.gov.uk
Lloyds TSB Foundations - www.lloydstsbfoundations.org
Supports and works in partnership with charitable organisations which help people, especially those who are disadvantaged or disabled, to play a fuller role in communities throughout England and Wales.
The Safer Homes Fund - a grant programmef for teh voluntary and community sector to help communities improve security in the local area. To find out more visit the website at http://grantsadmin.co.uk/saferhomes/ .
Scottish Power Green Energy Trust – www.scottishpower.co.uk/green
The trust funds new community projects which use renewable energy sources.
Local Action - www.southwestrda.org.uk/local-action
Managed by the South West England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), this is a £28 million initiative to help rural communities in the South West deversify and strengthen their local economies and improve quality of life.
Local Food Grants www.localfoodgrants.org - is a £50 million programme that will distribute lottery grants to a variety of food-related projects to help make locally grown food accessible and affordable to local communities.
Local Investment Fund - www.lif.org.uk
Provides loan finance to not-for-profit community organisations.
Lottery Funding – www.lotteryfunding.org.uk
Lottery Funding is a joint website run by all lottery funders in the UK. This site allows you to search information on current funding programmes across the UK.
The Morgan Trust - www.morganfoundation.co.uk - is a foundation which funds projects within North Wales, Merseyside, West Cheshire and Shropshire.
Nationwide Foundation - www.nationwidefoundation.org.uk - has previously awarded grants to Village Community Shops. The Foundation has a history of offering support to those most in need in the UK, with a focus on targeting social exclusion.
Regional Development Agencies - www.englandsrdas.com
Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) were set up by Government to promote sustainable economic development in England.
Social Enterprise Business Advice (SEBA) Grant www.businesslink.gov.uk/eastmidlands/socialenterprise
A new grant is now available. It is designed by SEEM and accessed through Business Link East Midlands.
Tarmac - grants are available to community projects located within a 10 mile radius of a tarmac site. To find out more click here http://www.tarmac.co.uk/peoplecommunities.aspx#comms and find out if there is a site near you.
The SEBA grant:
· can be used to purchase specialist business advice, identified as a result of an in depth review with a Business Link adviser
· is 100% funded and is available to purchase specialist business advice up to the value of £1,500
Triodos Bank - www.triodos.co.uk
Finances companies, institutions and projects that add cultural value and benefit people and the environment.
The Trusthouse Foundation - www.trusthousecharitablefoundation.org.uk - will consider applications from anywhere in the UK, especially those concerned with areas of deprivation. It is not necessary to be a registered charity in order to apply however applications will only be considered for not-for-profit organisations. The Trustees will also consider applications from community projects.
The Tudor Trust - www.tudortrust.org.uk - is an independent grant-making charitable trust which supports organisations working across the UK. They fund a wide range of people and organisations working to achieve lasting chang in their community.
Unity Trust Bank - www.unity.uk.com
Provides banking and membership services to the trade union, charity, voluntary, credit union and membership organisation sectors.
UnLTD – www.unltd.org.uk
UnLtd is a charity that supports social entrepreneurs. It offers packages of funding and support (level 1 £2,000 average) to start up. Supported by the Millenium Awards Trust.
The Village Core Programme - http://www.virsa.org/index.cfm/villageshop/Programme.Home
A joint funding venture between The Plunkett Foundation, the Esmee Fairbairn Trust and Co-operative and Community Finance, the Village CORE Programme provide a start-up grant of up to £20,000 per community owned village shop, subject to contributions of at least the same value being obtained from the village and a loan of at least the same value being granted by Co-operative and Community Finance.
