Signposting to Support for Leeds VCSE sector
There is help in Leeds whatever you’re worried about. Find resources and support for third sector organisations and groups, staff teams and volunteers – for yourself, or for signposting others.
Need help?
Many third sector organisations in Leeds are under serious financial pressure.
You are not alone. People and organisations across the region and nationally feel it too.
The Doing Good Leeds Partnership is committed to supporting you through challenging times. We have gathered useful links to direct you to support.
Can’t find what you need, or have a specific question? Email us and we’ll do our best to help.
You are not alone. People and organisations across the region and nationally feel it too.
The Doing Good Leeds Partnership is committed to supporting you through challenging times. We have gathered useful links to direct you to support.
Can’t find what you need, or have a specific question? Email us and we’ll do our best to help.
1. Support for Organisations – help with managing finances
Support for VCSE Organisations and groups
If your organisation is experiencing financial hardship, there’s sector guidance available via NCVO and local support offered through VAL and Forum Central.
- Voluntary Action Leeds (VAL) provides practical support to help you set up and manage a group — including help with governance, policies, safeguarding, recruiting trustees and more.
- WYCAS is the Leeds-based community accounting service for West Yorkshire. They support community groups with financial management 1:1 and through WYCAS training events.
- Closure of organisations, groups or longstanding projects
- The National Council for Voluntary Organisations NCVO offers supportive guidance on key steps and processes to follow if you need to close your organisation or group or wind up longstanding projects as well as guidance on common situations faced during closure.
- The National Council for Voluntary Organisations NCVO offers supportive guidance on key steps and processes to follow if you need to close your organisation or group or wind up longstanding projects as well as guidance on common situations faced during closure.
- NCVO Help and Guidance for organisations
- The NCVO offers a wide range of help and guidance on leading your organisation in difficult times.
Finding funding
You can access a regularly updated document of funding opportunities, along with bid-writing guidance and access to the Funding Leeds search tool. More info is available on the Funding and Finance page.
2. Workforce and HR Resources – help with managing staff
Forum Central coordinates a range of workforce-related support for third sector organisations, including:
- Quarterly HR Network meetings
- HR guidance, tools and signposting resources
- Newsletters covering leadership, recruitment, and wellbeing
Visit the Workforce HR Network page for access to Padlets, contact info, and thematic resources.
3. Money and bills – help with the ‘cost of living crisis’
Support for Individuals
If you’re working with individuals struggling with rising costs, the following resources may help:
- Together Leeds – citywide cost of living support
- Welcome Spaces – Leeds Directory has the list and map of warm and safe places across Leeds
- Money Buddies – free money advice and advocacy
- MindWell Leeds – mental health and self-help support
Find schemes and specialist advice to support you with energy and household bills:
- Energy Saving Trust – Saving money on energy bills
- Fuel Bank Foundation – Financial support for people facing fuel crisis
- Citizens Advice – Energy bills and meters
- Money Saving Expert – Check your energy direct debit bill lower payments
- SCOPE Disability Energy Support – Ways disabled people can save money on energy bills
- National Energy Action – Action for Warm Homes – Support for fuel-poor homes
- CCW – Resolve complaints against your water company
4. Wellbeing – help with managing stress
- Workforce Wellbeing – padlet by Leeds Health and Care Academy which supports the health and care workforce in Leeds, including the third sector.
- Mentally Healthy Workplace Toolkit – created by Mindful Employer and the Leeds Mindful Employer Network.
MindWell is also a key resource with translated content, self-help tools, and crisis information.
Leeds Directory lets people search by postcode for community services — including many Welcome Spaces
5. Networks and collaboration – help through peer support
Being part of a third sector network can be a great source of support. It helps organisations and groups in Leeds, and the people who run them by offering:
- Peer support – talk with likeminded people, share concerns and ideas.
- Advocacy – raise challenges and proposed solutions with decision makers via appropriate channels.
- Shared resources – build on your knowledge and develop what best practice in your field looks like.
- Relevant news and opportunities – stay ahead with routes for collaboration and funding.
There are many different networks you can get involved with, and at different levels of commitment. Browse our Networks and Forums pages for information about each network and when they meet.
Contact the project or development worker of relevant networks or email hello@doinggoodleeds.org.uk for guidance and an introduction.
Contact the project or development worker of relevant networks or email hello@doinggoodleeds.org.uk for guidance and an introduction.
6. Training and Events
Effective Signposting Training
There are regular online training sessions to help frontline staff and volunteers improve how they help individuals to find support that is relevant to them.
Ongoing Learning
Both VAL and Forum Central share newsletters, learning opportunities and events across the year.
