If you are an individual or a group seeking guidance on establishing a Charity, a Community Interest Company (CIC), or a Social Enterprise, RCVDA is available to provide support.
Starting a Charity in Redcar & Cleveland
We’ll help you turn your idea into a registered charity
If your group, community initiative, or passion project aims to make a difference in Redcar & Cleveland, you’re in the right place.
Here at Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency we support local people to turn great ideas into well-structured, sustainable charities.
Whether you’re an informal community group looking to formalise, or you’re ready to establish a fully registered charity, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Together we can help you build something that brings lasting benefit to the Redcar & Cleveland community.
Why Register as a Charity?
Registering your organisation brings a number of important benefits:
- Recognised legal status – making it easier to open a bank account, apply for grants and enter into agreements.
- Access to tax reliefs and funding – including charity-specific funding streams and Gift Aid.
- Credibility and transparency – partners, funders and the community can see you are accountable and properly governed.
- Clear structure and protection – defined roles, responsibilities and governance processes help protect trustees and support effective decision-making.
We believe local people can create lasting community impact and formalising your organisation can be a key step in that journey.
Which Legal Structure is Right for You?
Choosing the right legal form is one of the first and most important decisions you’ll make.
We provide one-to-one guidance to help you understand your options and select the structure that best fits your aims, activities and ambitions.
Common options include:
Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
A structure regulated by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
- Simpler administration and governance for trustees
- Corporate status without dual regulation
- Ideal if your activities are wholly charitable
Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee
Registered with both Companies House and the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
- Suitable for more complex operations
- A good option if you expect trading activity or growth
Community Interest Company (CIC)
A social enterprise structure registered with Companies House and regulated by the Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies.
- Designed for organisations trading for community benefit
- Combines commercial activity with clear social impact
We’ll work with you to assess your idea, explore your aims, consider your trustee or membership base, and review potential funding routes — ensuring you make a confident, informed decision.
Our Support: From Idea to Launch and Beyond
We provide practical, hands-on support throughout your journey.
1. Planning and Structure
- Clarifying your vision, aims and proposed activities
- Advice on selecting the right legal structure
- Drafting or reviewing your governing document
- Guidance on building an effective trustee board
- Clarifying trustee roles and responsibilities
2. Registration Support
- Step-by-step assistance with applications to the Charity Commission for England and Wales and/or Companies House
- Pre-submission checks to avoid common pitfalls (e.g. clarity of charitable purposes, trustee eligibility, conflicts of interest)
- Support with forms, required documents and deadlines
- Post-registration guidance to help you get your first trustee meeting underway
3. Governance and Templates
We provide practical tools and templates to help you operate confidently and compliantly, including:
- Trustee role descriptions
- Meeting minute templates
- Conflict of interest registers
- Core policies (safeguarding, data protection, financial controls etc)
- Constitution and governing document reviews
4. Ongoing Support and Growth
Once you’re registered, you’re not alone.
We continue to support you with:
- Policy development and updates
- Volunteer management guidance
- Fundraising strategy and accessing funding opportunities
- Connecting you to local networks and voluntary sector partners
Who is This Service for?
Our Charity Formation Service is designed for:
- Local residents and informal community groups in Redcar & Cleveland
- Individuals working or volunteering locally who want to start a charity from scratch
- Groups already operating informally and ready to formalise
- Grassroots, community-led organisations
We focus on supporting local, community-driven change rather than large national organisations.
Why Choose RCVDA?
As the Local Infrastructure Organisation for the borough, Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency has a strong track record of supporting voluntary and community groups across Redcar & Cleveland.
We understand:
- The local voluntary sector landscape
- Local funders and funding priorities
- Governance requirements and regulatory expectations
- The realities of running a small community organisation
When you work with us, you’re not just getting a registration checklist — you’re gaining a knowledgeable, supportive partner invested in your group’s long-term success.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
We’d love to hear about your idea.
Get in touch and let’s start a conversation about how your group can become a registered charity that makes a real difference in Redcar & Cleveland.
Contact us via phone at 01642 440 571, via email at [email protected] or enquire directly using the form below.
You can also drop into one of our support sessions — book ahead or just turn up for a friendly chat with a member of our team.
