Starting a new charity or voluntary group can be daunting, but we’re here to help every step of the way. We can help you with many aspects of setting up including finance and funding, charity law, AGMs, working with trustees, health and safety, business planning and more.

Our experienced team can offer advice, practical support and useful materials including:

• Our 'Getting Started' pack, which takes you through every stage of starting your new group
• Free factsheets on topics such as employing people, financial controls and essential responsibilities of the board
• A bank of example policies and procedures
• Face-to-face expert advice and guidance, either at our office in Poole, or we can come to you. This service is limited to five hours for non-members, so why not become a member and have unlimited access to our expert advice. Membership is completely free and has many benefits.

We can offer advice by telephone, email or video call and face to face if you cannot meet otherwise.

For advice and more information on any of the above please contact us on 01202 466130 or if you are in the BCP Council area email Steve Place at [email protected] or if you are in the Dorset Council area Avril Atkins at [email protected]

Find out more

For more information on setting up and running a voluntary group, take a look at the links below:

• Running a group
• Funding and income
• Support for trustees