Resources Library
Useful Resources for community groups
On this page you will find documents that you are welcome to download and amend for your own purposes - such as formalising a group, applying for grants, putting together a press release etc - as well as Reports and other resources which will be of use to Community Planning/Regeneration partnerships.
Please email us with any documents you think would be of use to others involved in revitalising towns in Somerset.
All documents are examples only and you will need to do further research to tailor the document to what you need. This could include talking to Somerset County Council's Rural Delivery Team and/or your District Council Regeneration or Community Development Officer.
Other free resources are listed but have not been checked - please let us know what you think.
General Documents
Terms of Reference - example 1 Constitution Standing Orders
Policies
Child Protection Policy - example 1
Community Planning
ACRE Community Planning Toolkit and the 9 Step Process
Governance for Trustees and Committee Members
ViSTA have a Governance Support Programme that provides a number of different activities and resources dedicated to supporting individuals and committees who are involved in governing voluntary and community sector organisations. The Resources include a useful series of podcasts on various Governance issues, which you can download from the ViSTA website.
The Vista Governance pack and podcasts have been funded by Capacity Builders in a grant awarded to SVSN.
They run regular training courses in their public programme and can organise in-house sessions in order to work with the entire governing body as a group development initiative.
They have a confidential, individual support service offering trustees or committee members mentoring and coaching. ViSTA has a team of volunteer mentors who have been selected for their wide range of experience and expertise in relation to governing and managing in the voluntary sector. This service is available free of charge. If you would like to find out more, please email angela@vistaproject.org.uk
Funding
How to write a funding proposal
www.financehub.org.uk - free downloadable guidance on legal structures if you are receiving grants or setting up a CIC, explanation of the differences between a huge variety of funding sources and which are most appropriate depending on the structure/aims of your group. Also information on full cost recovery and managing cashflow etc.
www.grantsnet.co.uk - easy to use searchable database of funders
Somerset County Council's Market Town Regeneration Fund
The County Council's new fund for regeneration projects in Market Towns in Somerset. Mainly for capital projects though some revenue may be included in applications. Download documents below.
MTRF Key Facts MTRF Guidance Notes
MTRF Application Form
Marketing, Communications and Press Releases
Marketing for not-for-profit Organisations
Press Release examples: Axbridge Network Event Future Plans
Communications Strategy - example 1
Transition Town Langport flyer
Tourism and Promotion
Promoting Market Towns Executive Summary
Leader+ Self-Guided Trail Development (2MB pdf)
How to develop walking trails/routes - experience from 3 Leader+ areas including the Levels & Moors. Features the Church Walks, a local circular walks project.
Climate Change & Peak Oil
Transition Wiki - Wikipedia site explaining what the Transition movement is, links to Transition Initiatives and info on the Transition Network
Transition Culture - Rob Hopkins blog/site
Sustainable Development & Peak Oil - link to page where you can download this report (2MB pdf) which contains links to many useful climate change resources.
Traffic & Travel
SCC Highways - Speed Signs Guidance Information on current Highways policy on permanent and temporary vehicle activated signs.
Miscellaneous Research Papers
Joseph Rowntree Foundation report into state of the nation
Links to free resources