Community
actions

I want to set up a new community group>
There is a lot to think about when you are starting up a community group, including:

Deciding your aims and creating a constitution

Deciding on your business structure (charity, community interest company, ltd company, co-op etc).

Setting up a bank account and organising your finances

Setting up a committee and deciding an organisational structure

Looking into insurance requirements and options

Getting started >

There are lots of different resources and information out there that can help you identify the steps you will need to take to set up a community group. Additionally, a great way to start is to see which groups are already out there. They might be able to provide you with advice and lessons they learnt when starting up. Take a look at the resources below which can help get you started.

Handy step-by-step guides

Getting you started >

Getting a group started >

Government guidance

Setting up a social enterprise >

Setting up a charity >

Learning from others

Humshaugh Net Zero have a useful page on their website explaining how they chose their set-up

Find out more >

Insurance>

Any community group should have insurance to cover their activities. Here is some information on insurance for community groups.

Additionally, if you are a climate or environment focused community group, you might consider becoming a Friends of the Earth group. This way you will be covered under their community group insurance. For more information see this Friends of the Earth insurance information page.

Project planning
Take a look at our helpful guides to get you started:

Project management checklist

Download >

Project briefing template

Download >

Communications advice

Download >

Community tree planting >

Have you been planting trees?

If so, please follow the guidance here to upload onto the map where you have been planting.

If you are considering a community planting project>

Please make sure to get the guidance you need to ensure we are planting the right trees in the right places, with the right management, for the right reasons. Woodland design has changed a lot since the monoculture blocks of the 1970s and 1980s. The impact on nearby breeding waders, on peat soils and hydrology, on heritage features and on landscape are elements which particularly need a site-by-site approach. For support and guidance, the Great Northumberland Forest team can assist you.