Toolkits and reports
This section provides you with access to toolkits from a range of organisations to support the development of your voluntary or community group.
Annual Report - We believe in Wakefield (pdf document)
Voluntary Action Wakefield District's Annual Report for 2010-11.
Building Resilience Resource Pack (pdf - external website link)
This pack brings together resources and information from a range of West Yorkshire agencies to build resilience in a voluntary or community organisation. The development of this pack was co-ordinated by Voluntary Action Leeds for the West Yorkshire Local Development Agency.
Changes in Charity Law 2006 (pdf document)
This toolkit provides an overview, information and clarification about the changes in the Charity Law 2006. This toolkit was produced as part of the Basis programme which was funded by the Big Lottery.
Changes in the Companies Act 2006 (pdf document)
This toolkit provides an overview, information and clarification about the changes in the Companies Act 2006. This toolkit was produced as part of the Basis programme which was funded by the Big Lottery.
The Compact Engagement Toolkit (pdf document)
This toolkit aims to help VCS and public sector organisations signed up to the Compact to improve their understanding of the Compact and to embed it in the way that they work.
The Compact Minimum Standards for Complaints Investigation (pdf document)
This document outlines the minimum standards that The Compact Group expects Compact signatories' complaints procedures to meet.
The Compact Positive Disputes Procedure (pdf document)
This procedure sets out what The Compact Group expects of its members if a complaint is made about their compliance with the Wakefield Compact, and what it will do to help resolve disputes.
Community Cohesion Toolkit for the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (pdf document)
This toolkit covers developing better and cohesive community anchors, and community and faith-based networks.
DIY Fundraising (December 2008) (pdf document)
This guide is for voluntary and community groups who are considering do-it-yourself (DIY) fundraising. This toolkit was produced as part of the Basis programme which was funded by the Big Lottery.
Employment Rights Leaflets and Factsheets (pdf - external website link)
The Factsheets give details of new legislation. These leaflets cover all the major areas of employment law, including contracts, parental rights, dismissal, redundancy, unlawful discrimination, sick pay, and minimum wage. These are produced by the Pay & Employment Rights Service.
Financial Difficulties and Insolvency (external weblink to publication request form)
This guide provides details on how to spot and deal with financial difficulties and how to prepare and deal with insolvency. The guide is produced by West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service.
Funding resources (external website link)
Information, publications and advice pages about funding, from fit4funding.
Healthier Communities Fund Final Report (pdf document)
This programme, funded by the Primary Care Trust, was managed by Voluntary Action Wakefield District and publicised by VOX. It gave grants to local voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations to impact on long-term conditions and childhood obesity.
How to plan a successful project - summary (2010) (pdf document)
A summary paper produced by Voluntary Action Wakefield District.
How to set up a group - summary (2010) (pdf document)
A summary paper produced by Voluntary Action Wakefield District.
Human Resources Action Packs (pdf - external website link)
Notes on legislation and model letters to be used in certain situations, e.g. Change to employment contract, A fair day's pay, Notice and notice pay. They aim to enable individual workers to take initial action to solve their employment problems on their own, but they also flag up when professional advice may be needed. These are produced and regularly updated by the Pay & Employment Rights Service.
Human Resources Model Policies/Personnel Forms (external website link)
16 model policies ranging from a sample written statement to Data Protection policy as well as compulsory policies (discipline and grievance) for adaption for each organisation. 13 downloadable personnel forms covering self certification, holiday sheets, supervisions, expenses plus others. These are produced and updated by the Pay & Employment Rights Service.
Human Resources Toolkits (pdf - external website link)
Clear, concise step by step instructions, with flow charts and model letters, take an employer through all the required stages of a redundancy procedure, or selecting and recruiting staff. This section also has a Model Equal Opportunities policy and a Disability Awareness toolkit that can be easily adapted for use by any organisation. These are produced and updated by the Pay & Employment Rights Service.
Impact Report 2010 - Voluntary Action Wakefield District (pdf document)
Voluntary Action Wakefield District has been providing services and support to the voluntary and community sector for 50 years. Learn more about the impact our work has within the community.
Involving Volunteers in Your Organisation (pdf document)
This guide will help your organisation identify what you need to consider when recruiting and managing volunteers. This toolkit was produced as part of the Basis programme which was funded by the Big Lottery.
Legal status - summary (2010) (pdf document)
A summary paper produced by Voluntary Action Wakefield District.
Marketing, public relations and communications online guides (external website link)
A range of online guides developed by the Media Trust.
Money Management for Community Groups (external weblink to publication request form)
The West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service (WYCAS) has produced a hard-copy guide entitled Money Management for Community Groups, available to voluntary and community groups operating across Wakefield District. This guide will enable you to get to grips with financial planning, control and management, and includes a checklist and a list of further resources that may help you. To order your copy of Money Management for Community Groups and other Good Practice Guides related to money management complete a WYCAS publication request form. These are available free of charge to any voluntary/community organisation in West Yorkshire.
New Groups' Guide to Starting Up – First Steps (2008) (pdf document)
This toolkit covers the basic things you need to do to start a voluntary and community group, before you move onto developing your group in the planning stage. This toolkit was produced as part of the Basis programme which was funded by the Big Lottery.
New Groups' Guide to Starting Up – Project Planning (2008) (pdf document)
This toolkit is concerned with detailed planning required in the second stage of a voluntary and community group's development. This toolkit was produced as part of the Basis programme which was funded by the Big Lottery.
Redundancy Toolkit (pdf - external website link)
This toolkit is produced by the Pay & Employment Rights Service in conjunction with WYLDA and Voluntary Action Calderdale.
The role of trustees - summary (2010) (pdf document)
A summary paper produced by Voluntary Action Wakefield District.
Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults (pdf document)
This toolkit is an introductory guide for voluntary and community groups about how to safeguard children and vulnerable adults. This toolkit was produced as part of the Basis programme which was funded by the Big Lottery.
Safeguarding children and young people - summary (2010) (pdf document)
A summary paper produced by Voluntary Action Wakefield District.
Safeguarding vulnerable adults - summary (2010) (pdf document)
A summary paper produced by Voluntary Action Wakefield District.
The Vetting and Barring Scheme (pdf document)
This booklet helps individuals, groups and organisations in the voluntary and community sector to understand the new Vetting and Barring scheme. This toolkit was produced as part of the Basis programme which was funded by the Big Lottery.
Volunteering Opportunities in the Wakefield District booklet (pdf document)
Are you interested in volunteering? A booklet about volunteering opportunities across Wakefield District, produced by Wakefield District's Volunteer Centre.
