Legal Forms Decision Tool

This flowchart should help give you some idea of what kind of organisation you're looking to start up. Remember to read all of our other resources too to make an informed decision.

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Latest

Pecan Southwark Foodbank vacancies

Pecan has the following vacancies: Deputy Manager and Women’s Service Fundraising Officer - (Published 28 July 2021).
IRMO have a Children ESOL Teacher vacancy

Indoamerican Refugee & Migrant Organisation (IRMO) have a Children ESOL Teacher vacancy - (Published 28 July 2021).
A hello from Alice, our Research & Intelligence Officer

Alice, our Research & Intelligence Officer at Healthwatch Southwark, tells us a bit about herself and her role - (Published 28 July 2021).
Our August 2021 *Spotlight Organisation* is Elevated Minds!

Elevated Minds work with schools, alternative educational provisions, and various professionals to tackle the disproportionate levels of BME young people excluded from mainstream education

A Guide to Getting Started

Most groups are started in response to an identified need. The best way to get going is to bring together a small number of people who share your interest and talk about the problem you want to address and what you could do about it. Even if these people are not able to commit long-term they may be willing to contribute ideas and experience in the early stages.
Legal Forms of Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations Chart Diagram

There are numerous legal forms of VCS organisation to choose from. Check out this chart to see the names of each of them and whether they are incorporated or unincorporated.
Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs)

Clubs promoting a single sport are now eligible to be either a charity (or CIO) or a CASC. The CASC scheme distinguishes between clubs and business for rates and tax purposes. It is not a legal structure.
Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG)

Companies Limited by Guarantee (CLG) have been in existence since 1862 and are simply an alternative type of corporation, primarily used for not-for-profit organisations.
Social Enterprise- Community Interest Companies (CIC)

Community Interest Companies or CICs were born out of the realisation that Companies Limited by Guarantee (CLGs) had a structural problem when used for non-charitable organisations.
Setting up an Organisation - Initial Community Southwark Assessment

Community Southwark can help you set up an organisation as long as it has charitable aims and is based in Southwark. Before we provide support, however, we ask that all prospective organisations complete this initial assessment so we can better understand the scope of your organisation and to make sure that you've considered what it take to run it from scratch.
Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs)

Charitable Incorporated Organisations or CIOs are a relatively new legal structure available for charities or charitable groups that wish to be incorporated. Learn more here.
Unincorporated Associations

This briefing provides an insight into what an unincorporated association is, and the pros and cons for this form.
Charities and Trusts

When starting up a ‘not for profit’ organisation there are a number of factors to take into account. A key consideration is what legal and organisational structure would be most appropriate. There are a number of different legal structures, all of which have different implications.