We know that many voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations in Leeds are currently under huge financial pressure and strain, and this is also being felt by public sector partners across the entire system in West Yorkshire and nationally.
You are not alone – Voluntary Action Leeds and Forum Central are committed to supporting you through these challenges and as part of this we have collated useful links to resources and sources of support.
If you have a specific question or can’t find what you’re looking for please get in touch.
Funding and governance advice
Voluntary Action Leeds offers support in all areas of funding and governance for VCSE organisations and groups – visit the Support for Organisations section on Doing Good Leeds
Grants and sources of funding – a regularly updated document outlining current sources of funding is available to download from this page, as well as other resources and guidance.
Support is also available with funding applications and bid writing from Voluntary Action Leeds – get in touch to find out more.
Other useful links for funding and governance:
- Leeds Community Foundation – current and upcoming grants available
- Funding Leeds – run in partnership by Leeds City Council, Voluntary Action Leeds and Leeds Community Foundation. Voluntary and third sector groups can register on the platform to search for funding and be signposted to further help and support.
HR resources
Forum Central co-ordinates the Third Sector Workforce HR Network which offers a quarterly meeting, regular updates and access to HR resources for organisations and managers.
The workforce team at Forum Central have also gathered together resources for particular HR subject areas so you can easily access a range of materials:
Closure of organisations, groups or longstanding projects
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations NCVO offers supportive guidance on key steps and processes to follow if you need to close your organisation or group or wind up longstanding projects as well as guidance on common situations faced during closure.
Cost of living guidance for organisations
The cost of living crisis is affecting us all. The NCVO offers this help and guidance on leading your organisation through this difficult time.
Staff welfare and wellbeing resources
The West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership staff wellbeing hub offers support for organisations in the VCSE sector], including support for staff and volunteers.
Support and resources for mental health and wellbeing can also be accessed through MindWell.
Other support/useful links for staff welfare and wellbeing:
- Doing Good Leeds Cost of Living page – collated links to organisations and resources around money, bills, food, housing. There are quick-read PDFs hosted there too.
- MindWell Cost of Living page – collated information broken down by subject matter in relation to managing finances and links to who you can talk to for support.
- Leeds City Council Together Leeds page – collated links signposting where to look for support around different aspects of the cost of living crisis.
- Welcome Spaces – community and faith-based venues which are open for local people to use as a warm and friendly place to read, study or enjoy the company of others or have some alone time. Find your nearest Welcome Space on Leeds Directory
Staff and volunteer management and recruitment
- Leeds Volunteer Managers Network – this network meets monthly and gets regular email updates. It’s an opportunity for volunteer managers to connect and share peer support.
- Motivating and retaining volunteers – guidance from the NCVO.
- Leeds Volunteering Platform – advertise and manage your volunteering opportunities.
Connecting and getting support from specialist networks
Being connected and involved with a third sector network is a source of great support for many organisations and groups in Leeds. Members of these networks are support with regular meetings and updates via newsletters or social media groups.
Voluntary Action Leeds coordinated networks and forums:
- Third Sector Leeds – the policy body that advocates for the third sector’s values and interests in Leeds.
- Leeds Community Anchor Network – organisations or partnerships who aim to help ensure the communities of Leeds thrive, as outlined in the Characteristics of a Thriving Community. There are currently 25 Community Anchor Network organisations located across all wards in Leeds.
- Culturally Diverse Hub – a network of individuals and organisations aiming to ensure the voice of culturally diverse communities are heard by decision makers.
- Leeds Crime Reduction Network – a network of organisations working to make Leeds a safer place.
- Young Lives Leeds – the network and strategic forum for Third Sector organisations working to improve the lives of children, young people and their families in Leeds.
- LeedsACTS! – coordinating third sector and academic collaborations to better understand pressing societal challenges within our communities.
Get in touch with Voluntary Action Leeds to find out more about any of the above networks.
Forum Central coordinated networks and forums:
- Health and Care Leaders – network of senior managers of health and care third sector organisations. Regular meetings and newsletter.
- Mental Health – network of third sector and statutory sector professionals with a focus on mental health and is closely connected to the community mental health transformation work. Regular meetings and newsletter.
- Physical and Sensory Impairment – regular meetings and newsletter.
- Learning Disability – regular meetings and newsletter.
- Communities of Interest Network – brings together support and information connect for communities which experience the greatest inequalities, with a focus on health and wellbeing.
- Men’s Health Unlocked – network of third sector and statutory sector professionals in a coordinated effort to improve men’s health and wellbeing in Leeds. In partnership with Barca-Leeds, Orion Partnership (Space2, Zest) and Touchstone. Regular meetings and newsletter.
- Workforce HR Network – meets quarterly and sends a monthly e-bulletin with useful information about resources, training and other staff related information/activities for organisations to access.
- Trauma Informed Communities (Children and Young People) – part of the Compassionate Leeds strategy this work promotes a culture shift and city-wide approach and has a grants programme but doesn’t hold traditional network meetings. Regular newsletter.
- Inclusion network – network of third sector managers who are came together in response to the Black Lives Matter movement to consider, influence and embed inclusion best practice in their own organisations and the wider health and care system. Quarterly meetings.
- Local Care Partnerships – this is the model of place-based joined up working between health and care statutory and third sector providers in Leeds. There are currently 15 Local Care Partnerships (LCPs) in Leeds. Every LCP is different, according to area need, but most hold regular network meetings with representation from; primary care, public health, social care, third sector, Linking Leeds, Healthwatch and elected members.
Get in touch with Forum Central to find out more about any of the above networks.