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Services Index

The service providers detailed in the following linked pages specialise in working with the sector. This may not be an exclusive commitment, but it will be a significant activity for them.

• Accountancy/audit including payroll and bookkeeping.
• Banking and investment.
• Pension facilities.
• Insurance.
• Legal including community services, as well as commercial firms.
• Regulatory Offices Utilities, Government, Media, Not-for-profit including Charity regulators. (Data Protection is under Information Management.)

• Consultants, Management, General, Fundraising; Business Links.
• Training. Short course providers. Also Online Courses.
• Professional Development. NVQs and sources of further education courses.
• Professional Qualifications. Certificates, degrees etc from universities/HE.

• Specialist Software Section introduction on membership, accountancy and other software of particualr relevance to the sector.
• Computer/IT Includes training, IT for Fundraising.
• Fundraising on the Net - information, consultancy, online fundraising services.
• Online donation and payment facilities.
• Charity Tax Reclaim services.
• See also Tax Reclaim issues/software.

• Internet and Web. Hosting, internet services, design, technical development.
• Design and Print, publishing (editorial) and translation services.
• Media Video, film, broadcast, photography; audio/visual equipment; media support, PR agencies; theatre.
• Events & Conference organisers, Venues.
• Membership admin, Mailing Lists, Response handling For mailing shots, campaigns as well as day to day.

• Suppliers - office, equipment, materials, general suppliers. Includes 'standard software', computer hardware.

General pointers

There are any number of special deals around for voluntary organisations - for registered charities and favoured local groups in particular. Some of these are excellent, but remember that 'nothing comes for free'.

The service provider could be

• just wanting some kudos that they can use to enhance their image.
• gaining experience at your expense (or could be upfront about learning while applying other skills/experience).
• hiding the true costs, and getting you to pay later.
• hoping to get repeat business or a commission on future services.
• genuinely interested and involved in the sector/your particular concern.

It is helpful to get a feel for where they are coming from, to avoid misunderstandings or unpleasantness later. And appreciate the fact that free advice based on inadequate knowledge or research could turn out very expensive!

Pro Bono Services

There are quite a few organisations, varyign from informal networks to offshoots of professional bodies, which provide some way of accessing volunteers with expertise in a particular area. This can include students doing projects, which could mean rather more variability in quality. Most will be listed on VolResource under the relevant subject head, but here are some others.

Maps for change "exists to inspire and empower students to create a better world through making maps and to help NGOs get the maps that they need". (Source: Whitebarn Consulting, June 2011)

Legal - see Law Works, and others, under Legal Services.

Technology - see IT4Communities under Computer services.

(Management) Consultants - Worshipful Company of Management Consultants, Cranfield Trust on Consultancy services.

Reach is the "skilled volunteering charity".

Misc Services

Analysis/statistical

Belake Community Interest Company Its Analysis Services team offers a variety of services including surveys & customer intelligence, statistical and mathematical modelling, data extraction, mining & analysis, geographical analysis and performance management, measurement and metric design.

Building Works

CRASH can help if you are running a project involving single homeless people and require help with building work or professional expertise. They can provide, amongst other things, surveys, project management advice, architects, building materials and equipment. 10 Barley Mow Passage, London W4 4PH, phone 020 8742 0717, email: crash@crash.org.uk

Travel

Key Travel provides travel services for charities, academic and similar bodies. Offices in Manchester and London: 2nd Floor, Lowry House, 17 Mable Street, Manchester, M2 3AW, phone 0161 819 8900; 28-32 Britannia Street, London, WC1X 9JF, phone 020 7843 9600.

Charity Line is a service from Virgin Trains (No info on Virgin website)

From 13th August 2010: Booking online only, charity workers can get 20% off tickets booked in advance (up to the day before). To qualify, organisations must get at least 10 per cent of their annual income from voluntary sources - if income is over £500,000 in the last accounting year, a link to your Charity Commission entry will be needed as part of confirming this. When signing up on The Trainline, select 'charity' as business type.

Shared services, administration outsourcing

Lewis Clare Partnership provides outsourcing of grants administration, leaving grant-makers free to focus on their organisation's core activities.

Consortium purchasing - see Suppliers page.

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Other Section Index pages

• News and Events.
• Information Sources Support bodies, magazines, local and regional.
• Management, Admin and Finance including Tax, Legal, Governance, Registration.
• People Matter Employment, payroll, training, volunteer and people management.
• Software and Technology Membership, finance and other specialist software; ICT; web.
• Taking Action Lobbying, media, research, for the organisation and personally.
• Areas of Concern Organisations active on various issues.
• Resource round-ups for particular job functions.
• Reviews of books and other publications.
• Sample documents and checklists.
• WorkScene: case studies.
• Work Opportunities: paid and volunteer vacancies, specialist agencies, web sites.