Organisations that support the voluntary, community and faith sector
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Barnet Together
Barnet Together is the council’s infrastructure partnership representing the borough’s voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector (VCFSE).
Established in 2018, Barnet Together is a partnership between Inclusion Barnet, Young Barnet Foundation and Volunteering Barnet (provided by Groundwork London). Barnet Together provides support, training, resources and advice, with each partner bringing their own specialisms, knowledge and assets.
In 2021 the Barnet Together Alliance was established, widening the partnership to include the council. The council invests funding into the Barnet Together partnership and works alongside the three organisations as a fourth strategic partner. This helps ensure that support for the VCFSE sector is planned and delivered collaboratively, and voluntary groups have a seat at the table in local decision making.
How to join Barnet Together
Voluntary, community and faith organisations and social enterprises can join Barnet Together for free in the following ways:
- organisations that support children, young people and families can join through Young Barnet Foundation
- if your organisation works with adults and the wider community, you can join through Inclusion Barnet
- if you offer opportunities for volunteers and you would like support and guidance on volunteering, you can register with Volunteering Barnet
The offer for Barnet Together members
Connection: Barnet Together convenes several professional networks where you can come together with other professionals to share information and good practice.
Capacity support: From face-to-face meetings to training courses, Barnet Together provides a range of support to strengthen and grow your organisation.
Access to funding: Find out about funding opportunities and access support and advice on developing your funding bids.
Find out more at Barnet Together
Barnet Multi Faith Forum
Barnet Multi Faith Forum (BMFF) is the council’s strategic partner in representing and supporting the borough’s many diverse faith communities. In particular the forum seeks to bring together representatives from faith communities to foster dialogue, mutual understanding, and collaboration.
In 2015, Barnet became the first London borough to adopt a ‘faith covenant. This is a document that sets out the commitments from the council and the forum to recognise the importance of faith to Barnet’s communities. Faith covenants were devised by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Faith and Society. More information can be found here: The Faith Covenant - APPG on Faith and Society
Organisations or individuals in Barnet can join BMFF as a member and take part in a number of themed subgroups.
National support for voluntary and community groups
NCVO
Voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector organisations in Barnet can also join the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
Membership provides access to online resources including a full range of template policies and sample business documents. A calendar of training course is also available from NCV, at reduced rates for members.
NCVO offers a wide range of free resources to support charities and community groups. These cover essential areas such as:
- Running a Charity: Practical advice on day-to-day operations, compliance, and best practices.
- Governance: Step-by-step guidance to help organisations achieve and maintain good governance.
- Involving Volunteers: Resources to support effective volunteer recruitment, management, and retention.
- Funding and Income: Tips and tools to help charities identify and secure funding.
- Strategy and Evaluation: Guidance on developing strategic plans and using evaluation to inform decision-making.
- Safeguarding: Comprehensive resources to help organisations implement robust safeguarding practices.
- Digital and Technology: Support for making the most of digital tools and processes to enhance service delivery.
- Closing Down: Advice on the legal and practical steps involved in winding down a charity or voluntary organisation.
You can explore these resources on NCVO’s website
New Philanthropy Capital (NPC)
NPC is a leading think tank and consultancy for the non-profit sector. It provides resource hub filled with free publications, research, and practical guidance.
NPC is particularly well-known for its work on Theory of Change, offering tools and insights to help organisations plan and evaluate their impact effectively.
Directory of Social Change (DSC)
The DSC offers a wide range of directories and publications to support fundraising and organisational development. Key resources include:
- The Directory of Grant Making Trusts
- Practical guides on fundraising and governance
- Access to Funds Online, a searchable database of funding opportunities (note: subscription required for full access)
Visit Directory of Social Change for more information.
Charity Finance Group (CFG)
CFG provides expert guidance on financial leadership in the charity sector. Their resources help organisations build financial resilience, improve reporting, and manage risk. They also offer events, webinars, and toolkits to support finance professionals in the voluntary sector. Charity Finance Group | Inspiring Financial Leadership
Fundraising Regulator
The Fundraising Regulator maintains the Code of Fundraising Practice, which sets the standards for ethical and effective fundraising in the UK. Their website offers clear guidance on compliance and best practice for fundraising activities. Code of Fundraising Practice | Fundraising Regulator
Chartered Institute of Fundraising
The Institute of Fundraising provides a wide range of guidance and resources for fundraisers. Membership is free for charities with an income below £50,000, making it accessible to smaller organisations. Resources include fundraising strategy guides, training opportunities, and sector insights.