SLCVO Blog 16 January

In this week’s blog, we’re sharing a round‑up of key activity across SLCVO, including team highlights, our latest performance statistics, an update from the ‘Gaps in Services’ workshop held in November, and a short introduction to governing documents

Third Sector Support Services

On Wednesday, Michelle hosted the second Reduce, Recycle, Reuse event, bringing together a range of community groups to explore actions in more depth and establish a working group to take forward the priorities identified at the first meeting in October. If you’d like to find out more about the groups involved, you can download the report here: https://www.slcvo.org.uk/_files/ugd/0be1a8_eeffd88811dd47ff8fd39ca366aabad3.pdf

Alongside this, Michelle continued her wider support to local organisations, offering guidance on governance, planning, and organisational development. She also completed the quarterly performance report required by the Highland Third Sector Interface, demonstrating how we are delivering support in Skye and Lochalsh. The figures show steady growth since Michelle stepped into the Third Sector Support Officer role in August last year.

Between October and December, we provided 63 episodes of support to 34 organisations, covering a wide range of needs. This included help to form new boards, guidance on organisational changes, proposal development, identifying suitable funders, and advice on governing documents —one of our most common enquiries and the focus of this week’s introduction guide later in the blog.

If your group would like support with any aspect of running or developing your organisation, you can contact Michelle at michelle.seviour@slcvo.org.uk.

Befrienders Skye & Lochalsh

Matt followed up on our ‘Gaps In Services’ Workshop held at Broadford Hall on 24^th November 2025. The aim of the workshop was to to explore gaps in services across Skye and Lochalsh and consider how we can work together to strengthen support for individuals, families, and professionals. The session brought together a range of frontline practitioners, including social workers, community link workers, a community nurse, and representatives from Dunvegan Christian Fellowship. Their combined insight offered a clear picture of the pressures facing people in the area and the ways in which community‑based organisations might help fill the gaps.

Discussions centred on the recurring issues faced by the people participants support, whether these are location‑specific or experienced across the whole area, and what practical solutions might be possible. One of the strongest themes to emerge was transport. Attendees highlighted the significant impact transport barriers have on people’s ability to access services and remain engaged with support. There was interest in exploring a mapping exercise to understand what community vehicles and resources already exist, with longer‑term potential for local car‑share or community car schemes. However, everyone recognised that the geography of Skye and Lochalsh likely requires multiple schemes or vehicles, making this an ongoing challenge without a straightforward solution at present.

Another major area of concern was the shortage of home care and personal care provision. Participants described the wide‑ranging consequences of this, from extended hospital stays to individuals being unable to return home safely. As this issue is already well‑recognised but difficult to resolve locally, attendees agreed to continue raising it within their own organisations to ensure it remains visible and prioritised.

The group also explored whether SLCVO’s Befrienders Service might expand its offer to include practical tasks such as shopping and prescription collection, which could significantly support people who are otherwise coping alone. It was agreed that Matt would investigate the feasibility of this, including insurance requirements and operational considerations, with the possibility of a pilot project being trialled in spring 2026 if viable. A follow‑up meeting between SLCVO, Dunvegan Community Trust and Dunvegan Christian Fellowship is planned for February to take this forward.

Participants also expressed strong support for better promotion and development of SLCVO’s existing Home from Hospital service, which provides up to six weeks of practical and emotional support following discharge. While acknowledging that SLCVO volunteers cannot provide personal care, the group recognised the value of this service in bridging the gap for people returning home with limited support. Matt will meet with hospital liaison staff and other partners to explore how this service can be better integrated into discharge planning.

There was unanimous enthusiasm for the emerging plans for Community Outreach Hubs, which attendees felt would make a meaningful difference by bringing services closer to people, reducing transport barriers, and strengthening local access to support. Overall, the workshop confirmed the scale of the challenges facing communities across Skye and Lochalsh, while also highlighting the commitment, creativity, and collaboration needed to continue developing local solutions.

If you would like to talk to Matt about our Befrienders Service email befrienders@slcvo.org.uk 

Health, Wellbeing, Welfare and Social Care Collaboration

Jo‑Anne’s focus this week has been on securing funding for the Skye and Lochalsh Community Outreach Hub project, with three major applications currently awaiting outcomes. As part of this process, she attended the second‑stage funding panel for the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults (Years 5–6) in Dingwall, where she presented an overview of the project and responded to questions from the panel.

Because the Outreach Hub is a collaborative initiative involving several partners, we worked with Hugh Campbell Marketing to produce a short film showcasing the project’s aims and the impact it hopes to make across the area. You can watch the film here:https://vimeo.com/slcvo

We hope to hear back from all three funders next week and, if successful, will begin recruitment for the new SLCVO post that will support delivery of the Outreach Hub.

You can follow updates on the collaboration here:https://www.slcvo.org.uk/hwws-collaboration

Introduction to Governing Documents

A governing document is the most important piece of paperwork for any community group. It sets out the rules for how the organisation will operate and forms the foundation for good decision‑making, accountability, and effective governance. A clear, well‑written governing document ensures that everyone involved understands the group’s purpose, their responsibilities, and what is expected of them. It also provides a vital point of reference when uncertainties or disagreements arise, helping protect the organisation and the people who lead it.

A governing document usually includes key information such as:

• The name and purpose of the group

• The activities the group may carry out

• Who will benefit from the group’s work

• The geographical area it will operate within

• Membership eligibility and application processes

• Election, retirement, and removal of committee members or trustees

• Powers of the management committee

• Rules for running meetings

• Financial and reporting requirements

• How the organisation may be wound up

Types of Governing Documents and Common Names

Different community groups use different types of governing documents depending on their legal structure. Understanding the correct type is essential to ensuring the organisation is set up properly and meets legal expectations.

Unincorporated Associations

• Governing document: Constitution

• Ideal for small, volunteer‑run groups

• Simple and flexible to operate

• Committee members are personally liable for finances and contracts

  
  

Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations (SCIOs)

• Governing document: SCIO Constitution

• A legal form designed specifically for Scottish charities

• Provides legal protection for trustees

• Must meet OSCR regulatory requirements

  
  

Companies Limited by Guarantee

• Governing document: Articles of Association

• Suitable for groups seeking a more formal structure, employing staff, or entering contracts

• Must comply with Companies House rules

• Often used by organisations that are both companies and charities

Trusts

• Governing document: Trust Deed

• Less commonly used for community groups

• Typically designed for managing funds or assets for charitable purposes

Understanding your Governing Document

Every trustee has a duty to understand the governing document of the organisation they help run. However, many trustees are appointed without ever having the document explained to them. This can lead to misunderstandings, governance challenges, or trustees feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities they didn’t realise they had.

To support good governance, every trustee—new or existing—should receive an induction that includes a clear walkthrough of the governing document. Trustees should understand:

• What powers they have

• What decisions they are responsible for

• How meetings should be run

• Who the members are and how membership works

• Required financial procedures and controls

• The meaning of the charity or company’s objectives

• What actions are permitted—or prohibited—under the constitution

SLCVO can provide trustee induction sessions or help groups develop their own induction packs. This ensures boards start from a place of clarity, confidence, and shared understanding.

Reviewing or Updating a Governing Document

Many groups already have a governing document, but over time it may stop reflecting what the organisation actually does. This can happen when the group grows, changes direction, becomes a charity, starts employing staff, or develops new projects. It is also common for older documents to contain outdated or overly formal legal terminology, making them difficult to interpret.

Phrases such as “the subscribers hereto”, “a quorum of members duly convened”, or “the trustees shall cause proper minutes to be entered” can feel distant from the everyday reality of running a community organisation. When the language is unclear, trustees may make decisions that accidentally fall outside what their constitution allows simply because they could not understand the requirements.

This is exactly where SLCVO can help. We regularly support groups to:

• Review and interpret their existing governing document

• Translate legal language into plain English

• Clarify what each clause means in practice

• Identify areas that may need updating

• Guide groups through the formal amendment process

• Ensure changes comply with charity law and company law

If your group would like help with governing documents—or any aspect of running or developing your organisation—please contact Michelle michelle.seviour@slcvo.org.uk