Links

Websites with useful resources for your group

Facilities for Community Groups

 Voluntary Action Coventry: offers a dedicated room available for members to use that includes a library and use of laptops with internet access. They have a range of equipment available to hire such as display boards, OHP's and Multi-media projectors. CVSC also offers regular mailing opportunities for groups and use of photocopier and fax machines.

 The Ricoh Arena Community Space: offers a high quality venue for conferences, workshops, training courses and general meetings and is available to community groups city wide.  The venue will accommodate up to 150 theatre style and a range of equipment for presentations is also available.

Links to local police neighbourhood teams:

 Coventry Local Policing Unit: Here you will find information relating to your local neighbourhood, as well as news, feedback and police surgery dates. 

 My Neighbourhood: detailed information on your local neighbourhood from West Midlands Police. Find out about crime prevention and how you can have your say.

Technology resources

 AbilityNet:  a charity that helps disabled people use computers.

 Donate a PC:  free computers for charities, and a free 'matchmaking' service for individuals and organisations to donate their unneeded computers, printers etc.

 Illuminate ICT:  a not-for-proft organisation offering low-cost help with the technology needs of community and voluntary groups, such as setting up internet access, websites and databases.

Training and community engagement

 Adept: a community development agency providing, amongst other things, training on working in community organisations.

 Common Purpose:  courses for leaders in organisations and the community, and useful resources for groups on topics such as engaging communities.

 ContinYou:  a community learning charity, offering amongst other things, consultancy and training for communities engaging in decision-making processes.

 Coventry and Warwickshire Co-operative Development Agency:  aims to enable people to take a full part in economic life. The site contains business planning tools, advice on setting up co-operatives and community enterprises, and information about credit unions.

 Green Communities:  is a programme from the Energy Saving Trust that aims to support. facilitate and promote community based energy projects.  From free training and advice focussed on project planning and funding, to technical support and a website packed with resources - Green Communties exists to help you make a success of your ideas and projects.  For more information and to sign up for free membership visit the Green Communities website.

 Neighbourhood Initiatives:  a charity specialising in community participation. The site includes access to hands-on tools for topics such as building design, planning and evaluation, and training. They also offer project work with  the innovative "Planning for Real"® tool that can help communities engage with planning issues.

 Quest-net:  links to many Community Empowerment Networks around the country, plus Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs). This website also has links to many resources for community groups.

Advice, Guides and Toolkits

 Ask NCVO:  this section of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations' website contains very useful factsheets covering a wealth of issues including funding, trustees and governance, financial management and strategic planning. Also contains details of their helpline.

 Charity Commission:  The Charity Commission is established by law as the regulator and registrar for charities in England and Wales. The aim is to provide the best possible regulation of charities in England and Wales in order to increase charities' effectiveness and public confidence and trust.

 Community Development Exchange:  library of resources relevant to community development; everything from managing a community building to asylum issues.

 Community Matters: a nationwide federation for community associations. The site contains useful information sheets on everything from running community buildings to chairing meetings. There are also details of publications, training, consultancy and an advice line for queries related to community group issues.

 Voluntary Action Coventry:  an umbrella body for the voluntary and community sector, providing training, support and advice. This site also contains good practice guides for community and voluntary groups.

 Directory of Social Change:  information and training for the voluntary sector, including publications and training courses on fundraising, communication, law, management and finance.

 FunderFinder: FunderFinder is a small UK charity producing software and other resources, mainly for grant-seekers. Some of the things they produce are free, or available at Coventry Voluntary Service Council.

 Renewal: a guide to what works in neighbourhood renewal, covering housing and the environment, health, education, worklessness and local economies. Includes how-to guides, toolkits and case studies.

 Urban Forum:  an umbrella body for community and voluntary groups with interests in urban and regional policy, especially regeneration. Publishes a guide to England's planning system, and to Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs).

Funding organisations

 Awards for All:  lottery grants scheme for local communities.

 Football Foundation: funding for football facilities and small grants for projects that use football and sport as a force for social change.

 Heart of England Community Foundation: funding for community groups and charities in Coventry and Warwickshire.Government and Strategic Partnerships

 The Scarman Trust: funding and practical assistance for individuals and groups wanting to bring about change in their community.

Strategic and Policy making groups

 Communities and Local Government: policy and information from the Government department responsible for communities, equalities, housing, planning and local government. This site also contains consultation documents and discussion forums.

 Coventry City Council: information about events and all aspects of the council's work.

 Coventry Partnership: information about members of Coventry's Local Strategic Partnership, the Community Plan to improve quality of life in the city, minutes of meetings and useful research.

 Neighbourhood Management: how Coventry City Council works in local communities. Includes details of your local Neighbourhood Manager.

 Neighbourhood Renewal Unit: part of the Communities department, this unit is responsible for New Deal for Communities, Neighbourhood Management and Neighbourhood Wardens. The website includes access to statistics about your neighbourhood, and factsheets and toolkits on topics related to renewal.

Other useful websites

 Arts Pages:  if you are looking for artists to commission, workshop leaders, venues or arts organisations, the Coventry City Council Arts Pages are designed to help.

 Coventry & Warwickshire Partnership 2012 Games:  find out the latest on Coventry and Warwickshire's journey to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 Council of Disabled People:  a charity run for disabled people by disabled people. The site contains resources and advice, plus information on the charity's services.

 Federation of Stadium Communities:  offers information, support and advice to community groups living in the vicinity of sports stadia.

 The Hillz Radio:  community radio in Hillfields - listen live over the internet!

 Care For The Family is a charity that has been supporting and encouraging families in the UK since 1988.