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COGS – Start Up Support

Strong Organisation Surgeries (SOS)
ASPIRE
Improving the Volunteer Experience
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Community Asset Transfer Support

COGS - Start Up Support

The idea for a new voluntary group usually starts with an individual or a small group of people identifying a local need that they want to help address. 

We know that starting the journey to set up a new community group can seem quite daunting – but please don’t be put off. 

Our COGS (Community Organisations Getting Started) guide and support service is here to hand-hold you through the journey, in a step-by-step way, at your own pace. 

We have broken down the process into 7 key steps:

  • Doing The Groundwork

    Being clear about what you want to do and why

  • Committee Ready

    Thinking through who you need involved and what you need from them

  • Planning The Way

    The things you need to do to develop the group and the things you need to do to carry out your activities

  • Getting People Involved

    Bringing volunteers and partners into your ideas

  • Getting The Structure Right

    Working through the constitution and the organisation format that works best for you

  • Funding The Plan

    Getting the costings right and who might support your work

  • Going Live

    Telling the world and getting support

Working through each step will mean you have collected all the information you need to get up and running with your first activity plan, making it easier to attract funding or maybe become a charity.

When you sign up, we will provide you with the COGS workbook and you will also have access to 7 dedicated 1-hour support sessions alongside email and telephone helpline support when you need it.

"The help we were given in creating our new constitution especially around protecting the committee members as well as serving the community we represent, was crucial."
Shona Brown
Milton Village Community Group
Want to chat things through with us? Just book a slot to discuss

Looking to set up a charity or social enterprise

We’re not just available to support community organisations. If you are thinking of something larger and would like advice and support to talk through your idea and think through your options, please get in touch on 0141 941 0886 or by emailing info@wdcvs.com  

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