CTSI supports community organisations by providing information, advice and training, covering everything from governance and constitutions, to funding and Boards.

We can support you with:

• Establishing a new group
• Setting up your constitution
• Becoming a Scottish Registered Charity, Community Interest Company (CIC) or other format
• Navigating local community planning structures
• Applying for voluntary and statutory funding
• Developing sustainability for your group
• Developing your group’s capacity and resources
• Other advice and support

We organise free training courses to give you the skills you need to operate more effectively and to strengthen your service delivery. These include:

• Governance/Committee skills
• Roles and responsibilities of the Board of Directors/Trustees
• Bookkeeping and Financial Systems
• Fundraising/Funding

We help you identify the right funding by providing:

• The Clacks Connect, providing the opportunity to chat to funding officers from a variety of local and national funders. For example, The National Lottery Community Fund, The Robertson Trust, Corra, FirstPort and others
• Discussing your organisational needs on an informal basis whenever required
• Proof reading and being a critical friend on funding applications prior to submission.

We also provide Third Sector Organisations the following:

• Network events and forums that will inform on national changes and new guidelines – including community breakfasts, third sector forums, Forth Valley Social Enterprise Network (FVSEN) plus Health & Social Care and Children and Young People’s forums.
• Toolkits, resources for groups and links to a range of organisations that can support your group more widely.

Contact Julie Haslam (julie.haslam@ctsi.org.uk) for more information on any of our capacity building services or for an informal chat.