Brighton Resource Centre

“A really useful place for community groups”. Although it’s funded to help groups in Brighton and Hove, the Resource Centre has a huge range of resources on their website freely available. We particularly like their up-to-date and clearly written advice pages, and they also have a good list of funding sources, many of which are applicable across East Sussex. A good place to start!

Business & IP Centre Sussex

The Business & IP Centre Sussex is run through the libraries in Brighton, Eastbourne, Crawley and Hastings. The service is primarily aimed at businesses, but there’s lots of help for community groups as well. They provide free access to funding databases and a range of 1:1 free mentoring sessions either in person or online, on subjects such as website development, fundraising, accountancy and many more, bookable via Eventbrite. Some sessions are listed as taking place in person, but you can book any session and ask to do it online if you prefer. The list of sessions available changes during the year, and not all information is on their website, so it’s worth emailing or calling to find out more.

The Charity Commission

The Charity Commission registers and regulates charities in England and Wales. You can also search for a registered charity on their website. A Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) is a type of charity and regulated by the Charity Commission. You can contact the Charity Commission directly via a phoneline or contact form on their website. (It can take a long time to get through, but officers are helpful and friendly when you do!)

Charity Mentors Sussex

Works with charity leaders, or community group leaders across Sussex. Provides a volunteer mentoring service to guide you through a specific issue or general strategic directional issue. Highly recommended if you’re looking for mentoring support.

The CIC Regulator

The Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies provides guidance and assistance to help people set up CIC’s. They also decide whether an organisation is eligible to become, or continue to be, a community interest company.  Although you can’t contact the CIC Regulator’s Office directly, you can leave a voicemail, or send an email, and someone will get back to you.

Community Works

Community Works is a membership organisation which supports groups who have beneficiaries in Brighton & Hove and/or Adur and Worthing. However, anyone can use the information on their website, which has some useful resources for community groups.

GIA (Gardening In Action) CIC

Gardening In Action supports community gardens and green spaces groups in East Sussex through practical advice and support. With funding from the Sussex Community Development Association and in partnership with many other groups and organisations we’re developing this website and running a series of live events. We’d love to hear from you if you have questions, thoughts or feedback on the Toolkit.

Greenhavens Network

Greenhavens Network aims to connect people and wildlife, and runs regular networking events and workshops. You can also find a list of over 100 community groups and organisations working in and around green spaces in Peacehaven, Newhaven and Seaford in East Sussex. Joining Greenhavens Network is a good way to connect to local groups.

Havens Community Hub

Havens Community Hub supports good causes in the Havens area, from Seaford to Saltdean. They say: “If you are a group looking for help and support with governance, fundraising, recruiting trustees or volunteers, then please get in touch and see if we can help.” You can also visit them at the new Havens Connections Cafe at the Hillcrest Centre.

Also visit us in our new Havens Connections Café at The Hillcrest Centre, where you will find a warm welcome and a good quality, affordable, food and drink.

National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)

The NCVO is the membership community for charities, voluntary organisations and community groups in England. It has a huge library of advice and resources on its website – you have to join to access some of these, but membership is free for most small groups. They run regular online training courses (usually for a fee) and there’s also a small charity helpdesk for members for specific enquiries. A good resource for up-to-date and reliable information.

Rother Voluntary Action

RVA supports groups in Rother and Bexhill. They say: “We can help you to access funding, provide training and offer you support with staffing and recruitment, making sense of policies, supervising and supporting your volunteers.” RVA also leads the Rother Food Partnership.

Sussex Community Development Association

SCDA works across Sussex, running community based projects and services aimed at addressing loneliness, social isolation and social cohesion. SCDA leads Making it Happen, in association with Action in Rural Sussex, Hastings Voluntary Action, Rother Voluntary Action, and 3VA. SCDA works with residents in East Sussex who want to build on the positive things that exist in their neighbourhood and we recommend contacting their friendly and helpful team if you have a good idea but are not sure where to start.

3VA

3VA is the Voluntary Action organisation for Wealden, Eastbourne and Lewes District in East Sussex. 3VA is funded to support groups in these areas and can help with personalised advice and support. They also run regular online courses.