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Getting started with strategy and business planning

Learn about what you need to know to get started with your organisation's strategy and business planning

  • Business planning and strategy

What is strategy?

Use this page to learn about what strategy is and how it can help your organisation

  • Business planning and strategy

Involving people in developing your strategy

Use this page to learn who to involve in developing your strategy and how best to engage them

  • Business planning and strategy

Creating the right strategy process for your organisation

Learn about how to create the right strategy process for your organisation.

  • Business planning and strategy

Theory of Change

Learn about Theory of Change as a process and a tool

  • Business planning and strategy

Setting the direction of your organisation

Find out what's involved in setting the direction of your charity

  • Business planning and strategy

Understanding your landscape and conditions

Learn about understanding your organisation's landscape and conditions and the tools that can help with this

  • Business planning and strategy

Gathering knowledge to assess your situation

Use this section to select the right tools to help you understand your landscape and conditions.

  • Business planning and strategy

SWOT

A guide to help your organisation with your SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis

PESTLE

A guide to help organisations consider how the world is changing

England riots: Statement from NCVO's chief executive

  • Responding to crises

How charities can tackle misinformation

  • Digital and technology

England riots: Letter to civil society from DCMS Secretary of State

The Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP shares support for the voluntary sector in the wake of riots and unrest across England

  • Responding to crises

New report highlights digital barriers for disabled volunteers

We share key findings from a new report that highlights the digital barriers stopping many disabled adults from fully participating in volunteering

  • Equity, diversity and inclusion

NCVO at the Labour Party Conference: Key takeaways

A round-up of the key conversations and takeaways from the Labour Party Conference

  • Campaigning
  • Government and politics

Trustee confidence: Key research findings and actions for your board

NCVO's governance consultant Mo Wiltshire shares highlights from the Charity Commission’s recent research into trustee confidence

  • Governance

NCVO welcomes new president and trustees at 2024 AGM

Baroness Delyth Morgan was confirmed as NCVO's new president. Two new trustees, Ruth Marvel and Louise Posocco, were also appointed

  • Inside NCVO
  • Governance

UK Civil Society Almanac 2024

Published annually by NCVO, the Almanac is the definitive publication on the state of the voluntary sector. Widely cited by the media, it is used extensively by sector leaders, policy makers, journalists and academics.

  • Government and politics
  • Involving volunteers

Understanding Trustee Recruitment and Retention Challenges

A survey of the voluntary sector

  • Involving volunteers
  • Governance

Budget 2024: Key implications for charities

Our round-up of the new Labour government’s spending plans and what they mean for charities and communities

  • Government and politics
  • Funding and income

Who can be designated safeguarding lead?

A guide to safeguarding leads and who is best suited to the role

  • Safeguarding

Skills and abilities needed for the role

Guidance on what skills a designated safeguarding lead needs

  • Safeguarding

Training and development

Find out more about what training a designated safeguarding lead can undertake

  • Safeguarding

Supervision and support

Supervision can mean different things to different people but essentially it’s an activity that gives you an opportunity to reflect upon your practice

  • Safeguarding

Resources for designated safeguarding leads

A collection of safeguarding resources for designated safeguarding leads

  • Safeguarding

Prevention and your safeguarding plan

Creating a safeguarding plan to ensure policies and procedures are being followed

  • Safeguarding

Responding to safeguarding concerns

Guidance on responding to concerns around safeguarding

  • Safeguarding

Managing safeguarding concerns

Making a safeguarding referral

Leading external engagement ( 1 day)

This training will teach you how to raise your profile and the profile of your charity. You’ll learn how to improve your external engagement through network-building, collaboration, partnership development and effective communication.

Tools and methods for measuring outcomes (1 day)

Get an introduction to data collection methods and practical guidance for evaluating your work

Recruiting volunteers (0.5 day)

This course will develop your skills and help you use a marketing approach to recruit volunteers

Supporting good governance (4 x 0.5 days)

This course will help you implement structures and processes to support trustees, and ensure systems are aligned with your organisation’s purpose and objectives

Authentic leadership (1 day)

This practical one-day course for aspiring and existing charity leaders will strengthen your understanding of authentic leadership, so you can lead with integrity and impact

Charity trustee induction and refresher (2 x 0.5 days)

This course will give trustees an overview and understanding of charity governance, regulation and best practice

Charity finance skills (1 day)

This course will help people with little or no financial background to feel confident in managing day-to-day charity finance

Developing a volunteer strategy (1 day)

Get an overview of the key tasks and considerations when creating a volunteer strategy. Learn how to develop a strategy that compliments your business plan and create a framework for building success

Safeguarding essentials for trustees (0.5 day)

This introductory course explains the key trustee responsibilities for safeguarding, following guidance from the Charity Commission

Mentoring and coaching skills (0.5 days)

This course provides an introduction to the key differences between mentoring and coaching. You’ll learn how to use both skills effectively to develop and support staff, volunteers and clients